MANAGEMENT OF COLOSTOMIES IN INFANCY

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the complications of colostomies and sort out the measures for the prevention of various complication.Material and Methods: This is a prospective study performed on 88 patients in whom colostomies were performed for various problems and were admitted to Paediatric surgery unit of Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar during the year January 2000 to December 2000.Results: Majority of the patients had Anorectal malformation and Hirschsprungʹs disease. Colostomies performed in neonatal period had a high complication rate and increased rate of mortality. Skin excoriation, colostomy prolapse, colostomy diarrhoea, and failure to thrive were the most common complications encountered.Conclusion: Proper stoma care, education of the parents regarding the stoma care and timely treatment of diarrhoea are important factors in the prevention of various complications of colostomy.