Early Versus Late Stoma Reversal in Children Presenting with Acute Abdomen

To determine the morbidity e.g., anastomotic leakage and wound infections, in children enduring early (same-admission) vs. late (routine-interval) stoma reversal. A quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Paediatric Surgery Unit II, The Children's Hospital and University of Child Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan, from February 2022 to March 2023. This study enrolled 60 patients with an emergency temporary stoma, using a non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Among them, half of the patients (n = 30) underwent early stoma reversal (Group A), while the remaining half underwent the procedure after a routine interval of 2 months or more (Group B). The frequencies of anastomotic leakage and surgical site infection were compared using the Chi-square test. In this study, 60 temporary ileostomy stomas were reversed. The group that underwent same-admission reversal compromised comparatively younger patients (median: 12 vs. 66 months). Both groups had mostly male patients. Operative time was also comparable in both groups. No cases of anastomotic leakage were observed in either group. The overall wound infection rate was similar in both groups; however, more patients in the routine-interval stoma reversal group experienced minor wound infections, Southampton Grade I and II. Stoma reversal during the same admission has shown a comparable rate of anastomotic leakage, surgical site infection, and operative time. Patients with an emergency temporary stoma can undergo stoma reversal in the early postoperative period without any major risk of complications. Early stoma reversal, Routine interval stoma reversal, Surgical site infection, Anastomotic leak.