Should routine contrast study be a norm before stoma reversal? A retrospective study of patients with temporary ileostomy after emergency laparotomy.***IntroductionA large number of patients with acute abdomen undergo emergency laparotomy. Many of these patients are found to have pathologies of small bowel where a primary repair is not suitable. A temporary ileostomy in such cases may not only be life saving but also a better option [1, 2]. In developed countries most temporary ileostomies are made to protect a distal anastomosis and it may be prudent to do a contrast study before stoma reversal to check for anastomotic leak or stricture [3]. This may not be true for all our patients where stoma is made for a different indication. At some institutes a routine contrast study is not done at all before reversal of ileostomy [4], although it is a routine practice at our institute. It burdens the hospital resources [4], exposes patients to radiation and increases the cost to patient. The waiting period for a contrast study adds considerably to the overall waiting time. Delay in stoma reversal is associated with increased morbidity [5] and affects quality of life [4]. Early closure is associated with less stoma related complications [6].This study tries to examine the reports of contrast study of ileostomy patients who underwent stoma reversal subsequently. The surgical records of these patients at time of the index operation will also be scrutinized especially for surgeon-documented intra operative findings. A statistically significant correlation between the two findings will be sought. If the findings correlate then it may be reasonable to reverse stomas without routine contrast study in selected patients where the surgeon has clearly documented a normal distal bowel. The study will also look at other parameters that have a bearing on patient care and the institution. Studies addressing similar issues in such patients with temporary ileostomy could not be found on literature search.