Evaluation of the end colostomy complications and the risk factors influencing them in Iranian patients

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of end colostomy complications and the evaluation of factors influencing outcome. Patients and methods: Three hundred and thirty patients with end colostomy were studied. All patient were recalled for examination for recent complications. Early complications included stoma site pain, early dermal irritation (during the first month after surgery), mucosal bleeding, stornal prolapse and psychosocial complications. Late complications included peristomal hernia, stomal stenosis, late dermal irritation (after the first month), stomal retraction, stomal necrosis and other stoma complications (perforation, fistula etc.). Probable underlying factors were studied. To evaluate risk factors affecting complications, univariable analysis and then multivariable analysis by binary logistic regression was performed. Results: One hundred and one (30.6) patients had no complications and the remainder had at least one of early or late complications. Overall, psychosocial complications, 56.4; mucosal bleeding, 34.5; early dermal irritation, 23.5 were the most frequent complications. Peristomal hernia (11.2) was the most common late complication. Those aged >40 years had significant associations with psychosocial problem (OR = 2.77), mucosal haemorrhage (OR = 2.19), and early dermal irritation (OR = 3.14). The risks of peristomal hernia and early dermal irritation are greater in the patients with BMI >25 kg/m2 (OR = 2.08 and 2.55, respectively). Conclusion: The risk of most prevalent complications of colostomy construction increases in elder patients. The high prevalence of psychosocial and skin problems in patients with a colostomy, needs special attention especially from the viewpoint of education by trained stoma nurses and preparation of standard equipment. © 2005 Blackwell Publishing Ltd