Proximal diversion after colectomy: The debate continues

Anastomotic leak can be one of the most devastating complications after colon surgery. Numerous studies have evaluated ways to prevent or mitigate anastomotic leaks and one of those strategies is to use a diverting ostomy. However, ostomies have their own complications and sometimes significant morbidity. Deciding which patient needs fecal diversion is a decision made with careful preoperative evaluation and intra-operative judgment. Assessing these variables can be extremely challenging, and as the authors highlight, are often made without quality data.

Source: American Journal of Surgery - July 12, 2020 Category: Surgery Authors: Drew Gunnells, Gregory D. Kennedy Source Type: research