Routine use of loopogram/contrast radiology prior to post typhoid ileostomy reversal

Objectives: the objective of this study was to find out the utility of loopogram / contrast study routinely done before the ileostomy stoma reversal in patients of typhoid perforation necessitating stoma formation. study design; it was an observational descriptive study. place and duration of study: this study was conducted at the surgical department and radiology departments,sheikh zayed medical college/ hospital rahim yar khan,including 51 patients admitted during the period from 01- 03- 08 to 01- 03- 2011. methodology: fifty one patients were included in this study in which stoma was created due to post typhoid intestinal perforations and than its reversal was performed after contrast study. loopogram was performed in all the patients to exclude leakage or obstruction in the distal gut. data regarding age,sex,out come of contrast study/loopogram,technique of reversal and post operative outcome of these patients in consideration to recovery and complications was collected. methods used for reversal were according to type of stoma as per standard international surgical protocols. the time of stoma reversal was after 03 months of primary surgery necessitating its formation i.e. ensuring resolution of all abdominal adhesions on evidence base medical practice. results: there were 51 patients 37 (72.54%) were males and 14 (27.46%) females. patients between the age of 11 to 20 years 7 (13.72%) were males and 2(3.92%) females. the main sufferers were between the age of 20 and 40years,the males were 28(54.90%) and females were 9(17.65%). there were 5 (9.81%) patients beyound the age of 40 years. in this study neither the loopogram/contrast study showed any contradictory finding to prevent the post typhoid perforation ileostomy stoma reversal nor post operative follow up showed any major complication highlighting the necessity of the loopogram. conclusion: in the presence of careful clinical evaluation it is unnecessary to perform loopogram/contrast study in post typhoid ileal perforation stoma prior to its reversal for the restoration of the gut continuity.