Management of a subcutaneous colostomy perforation. The role of a new synthetic skin.

Colostomy perforation is an infrequent but often disastrous and lethal complication. In the majority of patients, the traumatic perforation occurs during irrigation through the colostomy stoma. This case report reviews the clinical course of a patient with a subcutaneous colostomy perforation and the subsequent development of an extensive abscess. Aspects of the management included mobilization of the colostomy and thorough surgical debridement and drainage. In addition, the report introduces the use of the new semisynthetic biologic dressing, BioBrane. This synthetic, semipermeable skin substitute served as a temporary dressing, provided good stability, and supported the application of a stoma appliance.