Ostomy Complications and Nursing Care: Current Approaches

Abstract

Intestinal ostomy is a common surgical intervention to treat diseases of gastrointestinal tract. Ostomy creation increases the survival rates of individuals; however, it is regarded as one of the negative consequences of living with ostomy. Stoma complications consist of parastomal hernia, prolapse, mucocutaneous separation, retraction, necrosis, stenosis, and fistula. The literature re-levant to stoma complications reports that varying rates of at least one stoma complication occur after ostomy creation. The key element in managing several stoma complications is to prevent it. Proper construction technique of ostomy surgery and management of complications by a wound and ostomy nurse are essential factors for patient’s recovery. Therefore, it is important for nurses to have basic knowledge about ostomy care and complication management. In this review, stoma complications will highlight to provide a perspective for nurses and nursing managements for these complications will be presented based on current guidelines and studies.