Aspects on colostomy construction, complications and stoma function

Aim: The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the importance of surgical technique for stoma complications as well as stoma function in patients operated with colostomy. Methods: Five papers are included: Three observational studies (three papers), one randomized control trial (two papers). Clinical data has been collected from medical records, operative notes, the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry, prospectively registered clinical records forms and patient reported data through questionnaires. Results: The incidence of stoma related complications is high and may be affected by surgical technique but not stoma function (paper I). Most patients seem to live a full life with their stoma (paper II). A loop colostomy does not seem to reduce the risk for postoperative complications after surgery for obstructing colorectal cancer but it does affect the stoma related complications (paper III). The incidence of parastomal hernia was not affected by the surgical technique used under colostomy construction (paper IV-V). Conclusion: Surgical technique when colostomies are performed influences the occurrence of short-term complications in patients operated with abdominoperineal excision. Parastomal hernia incidence is not affected by the surgical technique used for colostomy construction. Stoma type does not affect the risk for postoperative complications

Stoma-Const - the technical aspects of stoma construction:study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND: The construction of a colostomy is a common procedure, but the evidence for the different parts of the construction of the colostomy is lacking. Parastomal hernia is a common complication of colostomy formation. The aim of this study is to standardise the colostomy formation and to compare three types of colostomy formation (one including a mesh) regarding the development of parastomal hernia. METHODS/DESIGN: Stoma-Const is a Scandinavian randomised trial comparing three types of colostomy formation. The primary endpoint is parastomal herniation as shown by clinical examination or CT scan within one year. Secondary endpoints are re-admission rate, postoperative complications (classified according to Clavien-Dindo), stoma-related complications (registered in the case record form at stoma care nurse follow-up), total length of hospital stay during 12 months, health-related quality of life and health economic analysis as well as re-operation rate and mortality within 30 days and 12 months of primary surgery. Follow-up is scheduled at 4-6 weeks, and 6 and 12 months. Inclusion is set at 240 patients. DISCUSSION: Parastomal hernia is a common complication after colostomy formation. Several studies have been performed with the aim to reduce the rate of this complication. However, none are fully conclusive and data on quality of life and health economy are lacking. The aim of this study is to develop new standardised techniques for colostomy formation and evaluate this with patient reported outcomes as well as clinical and radiological assessment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01694238.2012-09-24