Stoma-Related Complications Following Ostomy Surgery in 3 Acute Care Hospitals: A Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate both surgical and patient-centered stomal complications after stoma formation, with emphasis on underreported symptoms and complaints. DESIGN: Prospective, single-group study. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: Patients undergoing emergency and elective ostomy surgery between January 1, 1999, and June 1, 2016, in 3 acute care hospitals were followed up by stoma care nurse specialists in NHS Lanarkshire, Scotland. METHODS: Data were collected on surgery type (emergency or elective), stoma type (ileostomy or colostomy), stoma-related complications including surgical complications (stenosis, retractions, hernia, and prolapse) and so-called "patient-centered" complications (skin changes, odor, leakage, soiling, and nighttime emptying) at 5 time points: 10 days, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively. For this study, we report comparisons at 10 days and 2 years, using frequencies reported as percentages. RESULTS: Data from 3509 consecutive stoma surgeries were analyzed. Complication rates were similar in both emergency and elective cases. The nighttime symptoms of leakage and soiling were significantly greater in the ileostomy group and worsened over the 2-year period. The parastomal hernia rate was 34.5% at 2 years, a finding more common in the colostomy group (46.4% vs 20.1%, P < .001). However, the rate of clinically significant hernia was similar when comparing the colostomy group with the ileostomy group (3.6% vs 2.2%, P = .38). Emergency stoma surgeries (40.2%) were preoperatively sited compared with 95.9% of elective cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our prospective multicenter study demonstrated that stoma-related complications are similar irrespective of whether the stoma was formed via an elective surgery or emergency surgery. Nighttime symptoms of leakage, soiling, and emptying were high post-stoma formation, particularly in the ileostomy group, and worsened over the 2-year period. Findings from our study highlight the presence and persistence of complications. We believe our work highlights the importance of having frequent discussions with patients about making decisions about approaches to reduce complications to enhance patient outcomes.

Ostomy Creation for Palliative Care of Patients With Nonresectable Colorectal Cancer and Bowel Obstruction.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to review our experience with palliative ostomy surgery in patients with bowel obstruction and advanced stage colorectal cancer. DESIGN: A descriptive, retrospective review of data from a prospectively collected clinical database. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The sample comprised 86 patients (55 male) who underwent palliative surgery between October 1998 and January 2009. METHODS: All patients undergoing palliative stoma formation without resection for colorectal carcinoma were identified from a prospectively compiled colorectal cancer database. Patients having colorectal stent placement and bypass surgery were excluded from analysis. RESULTS: The median age at surgery was 71 years (interquartile range, 65-79 years). The median survival following ostomy creation was 103 days (interquartile range, 19-263 days). Sixty-nine percent of participants (n = 59) survived 30 days and 18% (n=16) survived 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm that patients undergoing palliative stoma formation have limited life expectancy. Nevertheless, these findings are encouraging when compared to the anticipated outcomes of untreated bowel obstruction.

The Effect of Adjuvant Chemotherapy on Stoma-Related Complications After Surgery for Colorectal Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis.

PURPOSE: To assess stoma-related complications of colorectal cancer patients undergoing surgery with curative intent who received adjuvant chemotherapy compared to those who underwent surgery alone. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained colorectal cancer clinical audit database was completed. SUBJECTS AND SETTINGS: Patients undergoing curative surgery for colorectal cancer with the formation of a stoma (end ileostomy, loop ileostomy, end colostomy) between 1999 and 2011 at a single hospital in Lanarkshire, United Kingdom. Patients who underwent neo-adjuvant chemotherapy were excluded. Two hundred twenty-two patients comprised the study sample; 130 (59%) were male. Seventy-five (34%) patients comprised the chemotherapy group and 147 (66%) made up the surgery-only group. Patients in the chemotherapy group were younger (61.6 vs 65.4 years; P = .001) and had higher stage colorectal cancer (P < .001). There was no difference in baseline (day 10) stoma scores between the chemotherapy or surgery-only groups. METHODS: Postoperative stoma-related complications were serially assessed using a stoma complication scoring tool; scores were calculated at 10 days and 3 months postoperatively. Scores of patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy were compared to scores of participants who underwent surgery alone. INSTRUMENT: A composite stoma function score was calculated for each patient after assessment of stoma-related complications. The overall score included a global assessment of stoma quality (stoma retraction, prolapse, stenosis, parastomal hernia, skin changes) and patient-reported stoma function (leakage, soiling, nighttime emptying, odor). RESULTS: At 3 months, the mean loop ileostomy stoma function score was poorer among the chemotherapy group when compared to the surgery-only group (4.55 vs 1.53; P = .041). No differences were found when colostomy (2.00 vs 2.62; P = .411) or end ileostomy (1.00 vs 2.00; P = .170) function scores were compared at 3 months. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing curative surgery for colorectal cancer resulting in a loop ileostomy who received adjuvant chemotherapy had higher stoma complication scores at 3 months compared to those who underwent surgery with no chemotherapy. This difference was not seen in patients with colostomies or end ileostomies. Patients, WOC nurses, and medical staff must be alert to the potential of increased loop ileostomy-related complications with adjuvant chemotherapy. Fully informed patient consent coupled with timely support and advice may reduce stoma-related morbidity and improve quality of life for such patients.

Physiological and pharmacological properties of a modified Brooke ileostomy: justification for retaining the most distal ileum.

PURPOSE: The traditional Brooke ileostomy removed the last 8-15 cm of the ileum due to concern of occurrence of terminal ileal Crohn's disease, vide infra the ileocolic sphincter was removed. Retaining all the terminal ileum has the potential of retaining the ileocolic sphincter. Our aim was to investigate whether a high-pressure zone existed within the last few centimetres of the ileum and its response to pharmacological stimuli. METHODS: A balloon manometry catheter was introduced into the stoma of 16 patients who had formation of an end ileostomy (ileocolic sphincter retained, ICS). Recordings were made at 1 cm intervals from the meatus in order to identify the maximum intra-luminal resting and intra-abdominal pressure. At the point of maximum resting pressure, the response to phenylephrine (10% gel) and glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) (0.2% paste) was recorded. Results were recorded using an Ohmeda Oestiva 5 manometry system (in millimeter of mercury) and data were analysed using ANOVA. Results were compared with 13 historical controls (ileocolic sphincter removed). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in resting intra-abdominal pressure between the two groups (historical controls 8.5 ± 3.0 mmHg; ICS 9.0 ± 3.2 mmHg), p = NS. The maximum resting intra-luminal pressure in ICS patients exceeded historical controls 16 ± 2.9 vs 10.0 ± 2.5 mmHg, p < 0.001. In ICS patients, phenylephrine increased the resting pressure to 26.0 ± 3.5 mmHg, p < 0.001. In historical controls, the pressure remained unchanged, 12 ± 4.7 mmHg, p = NS. Subsequent addition of GTN to both groups lowered maximum intra-luminal pressure to pre-study values, 10 ± 4.2 mmHg (ICS) and 7 ± 3.5 mmHg (controls), p = NS. CONCLUSION: Retention of the ileocolic sphincter in a modified Brooke ileostomy preserves a physiological high-pressure zone, the properties of which can be modified by pharmacological agents.

Alternative management of complex wounds and fistulae.

The management of complex wounds and fistulae can often prove challenging to even the most skilled clinician. The incidence and complexity of fistulae vary considerably from centre to centre, however they often lead to prolonged hospital stays. Routine admissions for 4-5 days may lead to 4-5 months in the event of fistulae formation. Thus, many patients experience not only compromised physical health, but also complex psychological problems. This article provides a brief overview of the challenges and developments of managing a complex wound with multiple fistulae and a pictorial illustration of an innovative alternative wound management system.