The impact of preoperative stoma site marking on the incidence of complications, quality of life, and patient's independence.
BACKGROUND
Preoperative stoma site marking and counseling aim to improve patients' rehabilitation and adaptation to a new medical condition. Objective studies are needed to provide evidence of the impact of care by stoma therapists. Key quality indicators include patients' quality of life, independence, and complication rates as affected by the variable modes of stoma site marking and planning.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of preoperative stoma site marking on patients' quality of life, independence, and complication rates.


METHODS
: A validated stoma quality-of-life questionnaire was used as the main assessment tool. Complications were noted on regular postoperative visits.


METHODS
This is a single-center, clinical study. The study was conducted at the Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa, Israel. Rambam Health Care Campus is a tertiary university hospital.


METHODS
All patients who underwent an elective stoma creation between 2006 and 2008 were included.


METHODS
Evaluated parameters included demographics, stoma type, marking status, complication rates, quality of life, and independence parameters.


RESULTS
: One hundred five patients (60 men and 45 women) were included, of whom 52 (49.5%) were preoperatively marked and 53 (50.5%) were not marked. Sixty stomas (57%) were permanent, and 45 (43%) stomas were temporary. The quality of life of patients whose stoma sites were preoperatively marked was significantly better than that of the unmarked patients (p < 0.05 in 18 of 20 items), their independence parameters were significantly better, and their complication rates significantly lower. All of these results were significant irrespective of the stoma type.


CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative stoma site marking is crucial for improving patients' postoperative quality of life, promoting their independence, and reducing the rates of postoperative complications. The role of the enterostomal therapist is very important in the ostomates' pre- and postoperative care.
Department of General Surgery, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel. benny_person@hotmail.com
Benjamin
B
Person
Ruth
R
Ifargan
Jesse
J
Lachter
Simon D
SD
Duek
Yoram
Y
Kluger
Ahmad
A
Assalia
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003125:Colostomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007081:Ileostomy; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care; D054047:Surgical Stomas; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures; D055815:Young Adult