Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 5, 2026
Murine Distal Colostomy, A Novel Model of Diversion Colitis in C57BL/6 Mice
Published on: July 12, 2018
Colostomy formation for neurogenic bowel dysfunction after spinal cord injury: a national survey
1Lead Stoma Care Clinical Nurse Specialist, Salisbury NHS Trust; Senior Research Leader, National Institute for Health Research.
Background:
Neurogenic bowel dysfunction significantly affects those living with spinal cord injury (SCI). Guidelines position colostomy as a last resort, but this is not reflected in current practice. Pathways and professional attitudes are inconsistent.
Aim:
Explore the attitudes of health professionals towards colostomy as an option for people living with SCI.
Methods:
Online questionnaire for health professionals; descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.
Results:
122 responses. Indications for colostomy: increasing independence (87%), intractable bowel difficulties (82%), patient choice (80%). Concerns regarded complications (71% overall), decisional regret (35% overall) and access to specialist nursing/lack of patient education (each 32% overall). Free-text analysis revealed themes of 'Lives transformed', 'Patient-centred choice', 'Right services, right reasons', 'Colostomy concerns', 'Health professionals' knowledge gaps', 'Differing perspectives' and 'Patient education is key'.
Conclusion:
Attitudes to colostomy are shifting, however concerns and inconsistencies in pathways, knowledge and support persist. Guidance needs to evolve to reflect current practice and incorporate patient perspectives.
