Patient Information

Abstract

The patient information should be adapted to the patient´s situation, i.e. whether it is the first abdominal operation, conversion of a standard ileostomy, conversion of a pelvic pouch, or if the patient has a diagnosed Crohn´s disease, before the construction of a continent ileostomy/Kock pouch. The operation, the postoperative care, the normal function, the advantages and disadvantages of a continent ileostomy should be described and explained. Information regarding emptying of the pouch, food intake, sexual life, and travelling is given before as well as after the operation. Information should also describe stomal flux and common surgical complications. Situations when the stoma therapist or the emergency department should be contacted are also described. A proposal to a formula of informed consent is presented in this chapter.