A study on patterns, indications, and complications of an enteric stoma

Stoma could be a surgically created opening within the abdominal wall. The main purpose of the stoma is to divert the excreta off from the distal intestinal loops to relieve an obstruction or protect anastomosis. The indications for stoma creation are intestinal obstruction due to benign or malignant tumors, perforation peritonitis, inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal malignancies, and anorectal malformations.

The study aimed to identify the patterns, indications, and complications that occur following the creation of enteric stomas.

It is a prospective observational study conducted from May 2012 to October 2015 on a hundred patients, who were admitted in the department of general surgery, surgical gastroenterology, and pediatric surgery, Government Stanley Medical College and Hospital. The sampling method followed here is the non-probability convenience sampling technique. The data is collected from all the patients who come under the inclusion criteria.

Of 100 patients, the majority of the patients belonged to 26-35 years and 46-55 years (n = 25). Based on the study, loop colostomy is more common with age less than one year and loop ileostomy is more common in 26-55 years. The foremost common indication of an enteric stoma is a gastrointestinal malignancy (25%) followed by abdominal trauma (22%). In our study, an ileostomy (80%) is the most common type of stoma created followed by colostomy. Within the ileostomy, loop ileostomy is the more common (60%) followed by end ileostomy (20%). Among the complications related to an enteric stoma, skin excoriation (54.4%) is most common followed by surgical site infections (8.5%).

Our study shows stoma creation is higher in the adult and old age group, mostly done as an emergency procedure compared to an elective procedure. So, better preoperative planning in both emergency and elective settings can reduce the number of stoma and its related complications. The duration of hospital stay is higher in stoma patients. So, the reduction in stoma creation leads to a reduction in complication, duration of hospital stays and indirectly reduces expenditure related to it. In our study, most of the stoma is created for obstruction in malignancy and perforation in trauma patients. From our study, we can observe early diagnosis of intestinal malignancy with a well-planned elective procedure or bride procedure like colonic stenting in malignant obstruction can reduce the number of stoma creation. Skin excoriation is the most complication followed by surgical site infections. These complications can be reduced by better postoperative stoma care and early reversal of stoma.