Risk Factors for Stoma Outlet Obstruction: Preventing This Complication after Construction of Diverting Ileostomy during Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery

INTRODUCTION: Bowel obstruction at the outlet of the stoma, also referred to as “stoma outlet obstruction” (SOO), has been noted to be more common after laparoscopic colorectal surgery with diverting ileostomy than after laparotomy. Thus, the aim of this study is to identify the risk factors for SOO and to evaluate the effectiveness of a modified ileostomy procedure for reducing its incidence. METHODS: The medical records of 63 patients who underwent laparoscopic colorectal surgery with diverting ileostomy between January 2014 and July 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. We analyzed the risk factors for SOO using computed tomography findings. RESULTS: In total, 34 patients underwent surgery before modification of the ileostomy procedure (LSa group), and 29 patients underwent surgery after modification (LSb group). In the LSa group, 6 patients have reportedly developed SOO (SOO group), whereas 28 patients did not (non-SOO group). No patients in the LSb group developed SOO. The thickness of the abdominal rectus muscle (ThM) in the SOO group and the non-SOO group was 13.4 mm and 9.6 mm, respectively (p = 0.005). The angle between the ileostomy and the abdominal wall (AIW) was 95.8° in the non-SOO group and 82.2° in the SOO group (p = 0.033). The AIW was 93.4° in the LSa group and 99.7° in the LSb group (p = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: As per our findings, a thick abdominal rectus muscle is predictive of SOO. Correction of the AIW (eliminating medial inclination) by modifying the operative technique has eliminated the occurrence of SOO in our patient population.