COMPLICATIONS OF AN ABDOMINAL STOMA - AN ANALYSIS OF 322 STOMAS

This paper reports a series of 316 patients with 322 stomas. of which 156 were end-sigmoid colostomies (48.5%) and 123 urological ileal conduits (38.2%). An overall complication rate of 66.8% was detected, with parastomal herniation rate, stenotic rate, and prolapse rate of 31.1, 10.2 and 6.8%. respectively. Complications were detected much later in a urological stoma than in a colostomy. Patients bearing an abdominal stoma should be followed up stringently. The creation of an abdominal stoma should not be regarded as a minor surgical procedure. Certain stomas, such as loop transverse colostomy, should be avoided whenever possible.