A Randomized Trial of Ostomy Closure Techniques

Stoma closure has been associated with a high rate of surgical site infection (SSI). The rate for SSI following stoma closure has been noted to be 7-41%; a rate that is higher than expected for a clean-contaminated operative classification. The ideal stoma site closure technique is still debated in the current literature. The aim of this study was to compare the rate of SSI following two different stoma closure techniques, primary closure versus a skin approximating purse string closure, in a multi-center randomized controlled trial. The investigators hypothesize that purse string closure technique will have a lower rate of SSI than primary closure technique.