Quality of life in patients with an ileostomy

This paper reviews the social effects of the surgical treatment of inflammatory bowel disease with the fashioning of an ileostomy. General health is improved, mechanical and metabolic complications are minor, and dietary restrictions usually unnecessary or limited. Work is usually unaffected and social and sporting activities remarkably little affected, except for contact sports. Psychological problems are not prominent in the majority of patients but sexual problems can be troublesome, although likely to be less than prior to surgery.