Introduction: Diversion stoma is very common in surgical practice.

Aim: To compare the complications following early versus delayed ileostomy closure following bowel surgeries.

Methods: This was a Hospital based comparative study on 112 patients undergoing ileostoma closure following bowel surgery from, March 2023 to February 2024 at Department of Surgery, S.P. Medical College and P.B.M Hospital, Bikaner. Patients of each gender with age >18 years, temporary loop ileostomy and temporary double barrel ileostomy of any aetiology, medically and mentally fit to undergo early stoma closure were included.

Results: Mean age of group A (Early stoma closure) was 41.54±16.56 and group B (Delayed stoma closure) was 47.6±16.13. (p=0.066). Out of total 37 patients of Group A maximum 16 (43.24%) patients had intestinal perforation, as indication of stoma creation, whereas in Group B maximum 37 (49.33%) patients had intestinal perforation, as indication of stoma creation. (p>0.05). Mean time operative time for stoma closure of group A was 71.16±5.05 and group B was 75.70±7.73. (p<0.001). In Group A, 2 (5.40%) patients died whereas 6(8%) died in group B.

Conclusion: it is preffered to EARLY STOMA CLOSURE as per patients fitness for stoma closure over unnecessarily DELAYED.