Evaluation in pediatric patients of colostomy closure with manual suture versus mechanical suture A single-center observational study.

Abstract

Introduction: Colostomy is a rescue alternative for preventing normal movement of the fecal bolus through the rectum and anus. The objective of the present study was to evaluate colostomy closure with manual sutures vs. mechanical sutures in pediatric patients.

Methods: This observational study was conducted at the Dr. Roberto Gilbert Elizalde Children's Hospital in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Cases of colostomy closure via manual suturing versus mechanical suturing were analyzed from 2018 to 2023. Hospitalization time, complications, and need for reintervention were compared. Percentages were compared with chi-square tests, and data were compared with Cox regression.

Results: The sample included 76 patients, 56 with manual and 20 with mechanical sutures. The need for reintervention with both techniques was 5%, which was similar. There were also no differences in the length of hospital stay. There were no significant differences in the number of complications between the study groups (12% in the manual suture group and 25% in the mechanical suture group). Cox regression is beneficial for determining the appropriate mechanical technique.

Conclusions: The findings suggest that both techniques yield similar postoperative results for both hospitalization and complications, with less reintervention via the mechanical method.