[Late Complications of Permanent Intestinal Stomata]

Complications following the creation of permanent intestinal ostomies are common and lead to serious problems in the stoma care of affected patients. The aim of this prospective, single-centre follow-up study was to record the rate of late complications in our own patient group and to identify potential risk factors.

All patients who received a permanent intestinal ostomy in our clinic within the period 2006 - 2016 were included in the study. 50 patients gave their informed consent and participated in our follow-up (14 female [28%], 36 male [72%]). The analysis of stoma-associated complications was performed by review of medical records and a systematic follow-up (standardised questionnaire, clinical examination, and ultrasound of the abdominal wall).

Indications included malignancy (n = 27; 54%), anastomotic leakage (n = 10; 20%), acute diverticulitis (n = 7; 14%), IBD (n = 5; 10%) and rarer indications. The top 3 late complications were peristomal skin irritation (n = 25, 50%), parastomal hernia (n = 14; 28%) and prolapse (n = 9; 18%). Acute diverticulitis resulted in increased stomal retraction (p = 0.012). Double-barreled stomata were associated with increased herniation rates (p = 0.044) and prolapse (p = 0.047). Ileostomies were associated with peristomal skin irritation (p = 0.021). Age, sex or emergency stoma creation did not constitute independent risk factors for the development of late complications in our group of patients.

Professional pre- and postoperative stoma therapy and care includes preoperative marking of a stoma site and structured stoma-specific follow-up by stoma therapists, surgeons and general practitioners, as well as stringent and early treatment of structural complications. This can prevent and mitigate late complications of permanent intestinal stomata. Interestingly, stoma placement was not an independent risk factor for late complications in an emergency situation.