Ostomy Complications, Risk Factors, and Applied Nursing Care: A Retrospective, Descriptive Study

This study aimed to describe the frequency of colostomy and ileostomy complications and types of nursing interventions as well as to examine patient and ostomy variables associated with early and late complications.

The records of 572 patients who received ostomy care from a wound ostomy care (WOC) nurse between 2013 and 2017 were abstracted. Patient demographic and ostomy variables, early period (< 30 days after surgery) and late period (> 30 days after surgery) complications, as well as documented nursing interventions were retrieved. Percentages and rates, chi-square statistics, and logistic regression were used to analyze the data.

The mean patient age was 59.1 years (standard deviation [SD], 13.86), and the majority of patients were male (302 patients; 52.8%), married (454; 79.4%), and had a temporary (438; 76.6%) end colostomy (253; 44.2%). One (1) or more complications developed in 323 patients (56.5%) in the early period and in 207 patients (36.2%) in the late period. The most common complications in the early period were peristomal irritant contact dermatitis (PICD) (181; 31.6%) and mucocutaneous separation (135; 23.6%). PICD was also the most common complication in the late period (149; 26%). The risk of PICD was significantly higher in patients with a body mass index > 24.9 kg/m2 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.547), who had an ileostomy (OR = 1.654), or a temporary ostomy (OR = 1.728). Variables associated with an increased risk of mucocutaneous separation included obstacles to ostomy care (OR = 2.222), having an end ostomy (OR = 2.171), and ostomy height < 10 mm (OR = 1.964). Complications were treated by the WOC nurse in 67.5% of patients, and the most common intervention was application of skin barrier powder and wipe layers.

The rate of ostomy complications, especially PICD and mucocutaneous separation, in this study was high. Results confirm that patient and ostomy characteristics might significantly affect the risk of complications. The findings support the importance of outpatient follow-up by a WOC nurse. Explorative or randomized controlled studies are needed to identify optimal nursing strategies to decrease complication rates.