title: Surgical morbidity after ileostomy in New South Wales.
abstract: While there have been several overseas studies on the quality of life after proctocolectomy, data concerning patients who have undergone ileostomy and proctocolectomy in Australia are limited. For this reason, a questionnaire was sent to all members of the New South Wales Ileostomy Association. Of the 354 who replied, the indication for ileostomy had been ulcerative colitis in 82%, Crohn's disease in 10%, familial polyposis in 4%; and 4% had undergone proctocolectomy and ileostomy for some other reason. Ages ranged from 15 to 93 years. Most subjects, of whom 51% were female, had had their ileostomy for a median of 9.4 years. Immediate postoperative complications related to the ileostomy occurred in 23% of patients, the most common causes being obstruction and sepsis. The rate of readmission to hospital for complications of ileostomy was a high 48%; 25% had further surgery. In view of these results, the need for continued efforts to develop alternative methods is emphasized.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007081:Ileostomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life