Comparison of sutured and stapled closure of loop ileostomy after restorative proctocolectomy.

Twenty consecutive stapled loop ileostomy closures in patients treated by restorative proctocolectomy were compared with the previous 20 sutured loop ileostomy closures in a non-randomised audit. Complications occurred in six of 20 stapled closures compared with seven of 20 sutured closures. Operating time and hospital stay were similar. The additional expense of stapling does not seem justified as complication rates, operating time and hospital stay are similar to sutured closures.