Stoma closure and wound infection: an evaluation of risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the infection rate in the nonstoma wound in patients who undergo stoma closure.

DESIGN: Chart review.

SETTING: A tertiary-care hospital.

PATIENTS: Ninety-five patients who underwent elective closure of an abdominal wall stoma requiring a separate abdominal incision.

INTERVENTIONS: Elective general surgery procedures.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Wound infection rate.

RESULTS: The overall wound infection rate was 29%. Primary wound closure was associated with a markedly increased wound infection rate (41%) compared with delayed primary or secondary wound closure (15%). No other preoperative factor specifically predicted a high rate of postoperative nonstoma wound infection.

CONCLUSIONS: The nonstoma wound during elective closure of an abdominal stoma is at high risk for infection postoperatively. Delayed primary or secondary closure may lessen this risk.