Early complications after stoma formation: a prospective cohort study in 100 patients with 1-year follow-up

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. 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 a 1-year postoperative period. Enterostomal therapy nurses scored complications on specially designed forms. 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. In this heterogenic patient population with formation of different stoma types, a high complication rate was detected.