Water-flow test prior to colostomy closure

Summary and Conclusions

The selection of the optimum time for closing a temporary colostomy is extremely important, especially since the patients are often sick and elderly. Open colostomies are not only difficult to manage, but also may create electrolyte and nutritional problems. A functional and anatomic evaluation of the anastomotic site by roentgenography alone can be very confusing. The simple water-flow test is adequately informative and less traumatizing to the patient.