Temporary Diverting Colostomy for Patients with Extensive Perineal Burns

Abstract

Extensive perineal burn is uncommon in clinical cases. Burn in closed proximity to the anus poses difficult wound care and high graft failure rate. This paper reports the use of temporary colostomy for fecal passage diversion in treating two burn patients who suffered from 48% and 36% flame burn respectively. The injuries were resulted from suicidal attempts and the perineum burns were less than 2cm from the anus. Loop transverse colostomies were performed in the early stage of treatment and were closed following complete wound closure and when no late perineum scar surgery was anticipated. We advocate the used of temporary colostomy in the treatment of extensive deep perineum burn as continuous fecal soiling to the wound will delay wound healing and increase the risk of graft failure.