Incidence and impact of peristomal candidiasis on outcomes after intestinal stoma closure: A prospective study

An intestinal stoma is often created to protect a distal anastomosis. Factors affecting morbidity and mortality of stoma closure have been well studied; however, the role of fungal infection in peristomal skin has not. This prospective, observational study was conducted between August 2022 and July 2024 to determine the incidence of fungal infection in peristomal skin, in patients undergoing stoma closure, and its association with postoperative complications such as surgical site infection (SSI), anastomotic-leak, bowel obstruction/ileus and mortality. The incidence of paralytic ileus, bowel obstruction, anastomotic leaks, and mortality were insignificant, but peristomal <i>Candida</i> infection is a significant risk factor for postoperative SSI.