Simple Diverting Colostomy for Sacral Pressure Ulcers: Not So Simple After All

• Published in: Journal of gastrointestinal surgery Vol. 27; no. 2; pp. 382 - 389
• Main Authors: Rubio, Gustavo A., Shogan, Benjamin D., Umanskiy, Konstantin, Hurst, Roger D., Hyman, Neil, Olortegui, Kinga Skowron
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.02.2023; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Albumins; Colostomy; Gastroenterology; Humans; Hypoalbuminemia - complications; Malnutrition; Malnutrition - complications; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Mortality; Original Article; Ostomy; Patients; Postoperative Complications - epidemiology; Postoperative Complications - etiology; Pressure Ulcer - complications; Pressure Ulcer - surgery; Pressure ulcers; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Surgery; Hypoalbuminemia; Fecal diversion; Colostomy; Sacral pressure ulcer
• ISSN: 1091-255X; 1873-4626
• DOI: 10.1007/s11605-022-05522-7

Background Surgeons are often asked to provide a diverting colostomy to enable healing or simplify management of sacral pressure ulcers. However, little evidence exists regarding the safety of a diversion in this often compromised patient population. We hypothesized that malnourished patients with sacral pressure ulcers have poor outcomes with fecal diversion. Methods ACS-NSQIP (2012–2018) was used to identify patients who underwent elective diverting colostomy for sacral pressure ulcers. Demographics, comorbidities, and perioperative details were recorded. Postoperative complications and 30-day mortality were compared between patients with moderate/severe hypoalbuminemia (< 2.5 g/dL) vs those with albumin > 2.5 g/dL. Results We identified a total of 863 patients who underwent elective diverting colostomy for sacral pressure ulcer. Mean age was 57.5 years old. Rate of associated comorbidities was high, with most patients classified as ASA class 3 or 4. Over 40% of patients had a preoperative albumin level < 2.5 g/dL. Thirty-day overall postoperative mortality was 6.7%. This was significantly higher in patients with hypoalbuminemia (11.4% vs. 3.5%, p  < 0.001). On multivariable regression analysis, preoperative albumin < 2.5 g/dL was independently associated with mortality (OR 1.92, p  = 0.039). Other factors associated with mortality included increased age (OR 1.04 per year, p  < 0.001), preoperative sepsis (OR 1.66, p  = 0.003), and Black race (OR 2.2, p  = 0.01). Conclusions Diverting colostomy performed for patients with sacral pressure ulcers is associated with a substantial risk of postoperative death. Surgeons should carefully consider risks of diversion in this patient population, especially in malnourished patients with hypoalbuminemia.