COMPLICATIONS OF COLOSTOMIES (original) (raw)

Terminal or lateral colostomy is a surgical operation, commonly used in colorectal surgery, mandatory in interventions such as rectal amputation or Hartmann surgery, or colon decompression and anastomosis protection. Colostomies are encumbered, however, by a series of complications, some of them are major and very difficult to solve. The most common are: ischemia and loop regression, peristomal hernia, stenosis, prolapse, peristomal fistula. Much less rarely are described: intrastomal hernia, peristomalphlegmon and stercoral peritonitis. The authors report, during the period 2013-2017, 119 temporary or definitive colostomies, that have been performed in the therapeutic context of colorectal neoplasic pathology. In those 119 colostomies, a number of 13 serious complications was noted (11%), plus 18 transient minor complications (15%) reprezented by skin irritations in peristomal region. The paper presents the main diagnostic and therapeutic aspects in cases with complicated colostomy. Colostomy is still quite frequently used in surgical services, often representing the solution that takes the the patient out of a difficult situation; it should not be considered a handicap under the conditions of an adequate psycho-socio-medical climate. Complications of colostomies are relatively rare, but some of these are difficult to solve as they address patients with multiple comorbidities. As important as the technical execution of the colostomies is their subsequent care, the idea of training specialized personnel for their care -stomatherapists is not far-fetched.