[Disabling outcomes and psychological disorders in the patient with an enterostomy]

The authors carried out a retrospective study of patients undergoing enterostomy during the past 9 years. From 1981 to present a total of 60 patients (39 males and 21 females) were operated and subsequently followed-up. The aim of the study was to examine the following factors: the diagnosis which led to operation, the type of stoma used, early and late complications, the behaviour of the alvus, psychological disorders and Karnofsky's Performance-Status Index. After having presented the findings, the surgical results obtained are discussed together with the patient's psychological reactions to stoma. All types of early surgical complications were absent in 66.6% of patients, whereas late complications were absent in 41.6%. Even in those cases where surgical techniques and prostheses permitted a satisfactory post-operative outcome, the sociopsychological and sexual problems relating to the wound and the perceived difference between the real and ideal Ego are highlighted.