Early complications after stoma formation:  a prospective cohort study in 100 patients  with 1-year follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to provide an overview of all complications that may occur after construction of an ileostomy or colostomy (loop or end) in daily practice.


METHODS
Between July 2007 and April 2008, all adult patients who underwent any type of intestinal stoma formation were asked to participate in this prospective cohort study. All relevant patient characteristics were gathered.Patients were evaluated for complications eight times in a1-year postoperative period. Enterostomal therapy nurses scored complications on specially designed forms.


RESULTS
One hundred patients were included; two patients were lost before initial follow-up (FU). During FU, 21% of the patients deceased, and 15% were lost, physically unable to visit the outpatient clinic or withdrew from FU. In 37% of the patients, bowel continuity was restored. Only 26% of the patients were able to complete FU. Overall, 82% of all the patients had one or more stoma-related complications. Most common complications were skin irritation (55%), fixation problems (46%) and leakage (40%). Superficial necrosis,bleeding and retraction occurred in 20%, 14% and 9% of patients, respectively. More stoma related complications were found in stoma's on inappropriate locations.


CONCLUSIONS
In this heterogenic patient population with formation of different stoma types, a high complication rate was detected.
Department of Colorectal Surgery, Meander Medical Centre Amersfoort, Utrechtseweg 160, 3818 ES Amersfoort, the Netherlands.
H A
HA
Formijne Jonkers
W A
WA
Draaisma
A M
AM
Roskott
A J
AJ
van Overbeeke
I A M J
IA
Broeders
E C J
EC
Consten
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D054047:Surgical Stomas / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult