Descriptive study of peristomal complications

Best Practice Guidelines for Ostomy Care in Neonates, Children, and Adolescents: An Executive Summary

Pediatric ostomy care nursing is primarily based on best practice principles; evidence supporting care remains sparse. Although many principles of ostomy care are similar across the life span, the indications for ostomy surgery and clinical approach differ when working with neonates, children, and adolescents. An international group of pediatric ostomy care experts was brought together to offer their expertise on caring for children with an ostomy. Best practice guidelines were developed based on literature review and consensus among expert panelists. The purpose of these guidelines is to provide a resource for best practices to health care professionals caring for pediatric patients with an ostomy. This article is divided into 2 sections: the first highlights clinical aspects of pediatric ostomy care, while the second addresses psychosocial aspects of ostomy care, including effects of an ostomy on the family. These guidelines address ostomy care and need within the full spectrum of the pediatric age groups, from neonates to adolescents.

Prevalence of leakage and its negative impact on quality of life in people living with a stoma in the UK

BACKGROUND

People with a stoma are reported to experience leakage, which negatively impacts patient quality of life (QoL).

AIM

To assess the impact of leakage experienced by individuals with a stoma in the UK.

METHODS

Data were analysed from 301 patients living in the UK who completed a questionnaire concerning the physical and psychosocial impact of living with a stoma.

FINDINGS

Most respondents had had their stoma for more than 5 years. Nine out of 10 worried about leakage to varying degrees and half the respondents accepted that this was a worry they had to live with. Almost 70% experienced leakage onto clothes within the preceding year, and 28% experienced this monthly. Peristomal skin complications were experienced by 82% of respondents, the severity of which correlated with reductions in QoL.

CONCLUSION

Despite the consequential negative impact of leakage on QoL, individuals are not seeking advice to resolve leakage-related issues, including from their specialist stoma care nurse.

Use of a Convex Pouching System in the Postoperative Period: A National Consensus

Convex pouching systems have been available for ostomy patients for decades; however, controversy remains over the use of convexity in the postoperative period. A group of 10 nurses and physicians with expertise caring for patients with an ostomy completed a scoping review identifying research-based evidence and gaps in our knowledge of the safety and effectiveness related to the use of a convex pouching system following ostomy surgery. Results of this scoping review demonstrated the need for a structured consensus to define best practices when selecting a pouching system that provides a secure and reliable seal around the stoma, avoids undermining and leakage of effluent from the pouching system, and contributes to optimal health-related quality of life for patients following ostomy surgery. The expert panel reached consensus on 8 statements for the use of convex products immediately after surgery and throughout the first 6 months after stoma creation, as well as describing goals in choosing the best pouching system for the patient with an ostomy.

Patient-Related Factors Associated With Stoma and Peristomal Complications Following Fecal Ostomy Surgery: A Scoping Review

PURPOSE

Ostomy creation is often an integral part of the surgical management of various diseases including colorectal malignancies and inflammatory bowel disease. Stoma and peristomal complications may occur in up to 70% of patients following ostomy surgery. The aim of this scoping literature review was to synthesize evidence on the risk factors for developing complications following creation of a fecal ostomy.

DESIGN

Scoping literature review.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Two independent researchers completed a search of the online bibliographic databases PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane, Google Scholar, and EMBASE for all articles published between January 1980 and December 2018. The search comprised multiple elements including systematic literature reviews with meta-analysis of pooled findings, randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, observational studies, other types of review articles, and multiple case reports. We screened 307 unique titles and abstracts; 68 articles met our eligibility criteria for inclusion. The methodological rigor of study quality included in our scoping review was variable.

FINDINGS/CONCLUSIONS

We identified 6 risk factors associated with an increased likelihood of stoma or peristomal complications (1) age more than 65 years; (2) female sex; (3) body mass index more than 25; (4) diabetes mellitus as a comorbid condition; (5) abdominal malignancy as the underlying reason for ostomy surgery; and (6) lack of preoperative stoma site marking and WOC/ostomy nurse specialist care prior to stoma surgery. We also found evidence that persons with a colostomy are at a higher risk for prolapse and parastomal hernia.

IMPLICATIONS

Health care professionals should consider these risk factors when caring for patients undergoing fecal ostomy surgery and manage modifiable factors whenever possible. For example, preoperative stoma site marking by an ostomy nurse or surgeon familiar with this task, along with careful perioperative ostomy care and education of the patient by an ostomy nurse specialist, are essential to reduce the risk of modifiable risk factors related to creation of a fecal ostomy.

Moisture-associated skin damage (MASD): A best practice recommendation from Wund-D.A.CH

Wund-D.A.CH., as the umbrella organization of German-speaking wound treatment societies, has currently developed a best practice recommendation for skin damage caused by body fluids, which is known as moisture-associated skin damage (MASD) in English-speaking countries. In this expert consensus, the diseases incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD), intertriginous dermatitis, including intertrigo, gram-negative bacterial toe web infection and toxic contact dermatitis, including periwound and peristomal dermatitis are presented in a differentiated manner. A common feature of these clinical diseases is a deterioration of skin integrity due to prolonged exposure to body fluids such as urine, stool, sweat or wound exudate with associated physical-irritative and/or chemical irritation. In addition, other comorbidities and cofactors play an important role. The diagnosis of these interdisciplinary and interprofessionally relevant MASD is difficult in everyday clinical practice because there are currently no uniform definitions and many relevant differential diagnoses. Effective strategies for the prevention and therapy of these skin diseases are, for example, continence management, use of efficient, absorbent aids with good retention as well as consistent skin protection and adequate skin care. Another important aspect is the education of patients and relatives about the origin, treatment and prevention of MASD.

Preoperative Stoma Site Marking Decreases Stoma and Peristomal Complications: A Meta-analysis

PURPOSE

We systematically reviewed the literature in order to determine whether evidence indicated that preoperative stoma site marking reduces the occurrence of postoperative stoma and peristomal complications.

DESIGN

Systematic review with meta-analysis of pooled findings.

SUBJECTS/SETTING

We systematically reviewed 6 electronic databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library for English language articles, along with the Airiti Library and Wanfang Data for Chinese articles for evidence related to the effects of stoma site marking on stoma and peristomal complications. We sought articles published from their inception to January 31, 2018.

METHODS

Ten studies that included 2109 participants, each comparing 2 groups of patients who did and did not undergo preoperative stoma site marking, were retrieved and analyzed.

RESULTS

In patients who underwent stoma site marking, the marking was associated with reduced stoma and peristomal complications in all stoma types (odds ratio [OR] = 0.52; 95% CI, 0.42-0.64; P < .001). Patients who underwent stoma and had fecal ostomies experienced fewer complications (OR = 0.34; 95% CI, 0.25-0.47; P < .001) than patients with unmarked stomas. In contrast, patients with urostomies did not experience fewer complications when compared to those with unmarked ostomies (OR = 0.531; 95% CI, 0.23-1.21; P = .132). Persons with fecal ostomies also had fewer hernias and peristomal skin complications (ORs = 0.25 and 0.30; 95% CIs, 0.09-0.71 and 0.20-0.44, respectively; both Ps < .001). The results revealed that stoma site marking was associated with reduced early and late stoma and peristomal complications (ORs = 0.76 and 0.38; 95% CIs, 0.61-0.94 and 0.32-0.46; P = .010 and P < .001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative stoma site marking is associated with a reduced occurrence of stoma and peristomal complications and should be considered as a standard of preoperative care.

Validation and Clinical Experience With a Turkish Language Version of the Pittman Ostomy Complication and Severity Index

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the content validity and interrater reliability of a Turkish language version of the Pittman Ostomy Complication and Severity Index (OCSI).

DESIGN

Psychometric evaluation of instrument.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING

The sample comprised 90 individuals living with an ostomy for 2 to 6 months. Their mean age was 59.48 years (SD 13.292); 52.2% were female. Almost two-thirds (73.3%, n = 66) had experienced at least 1 ostomy complication. The study was conducted in the Wound and Stoma Therapy Unit of the Dokuz Eylül University Hospital General Surgery Clinic and Polyclinic in Izmir, Turkey.

METHODS

A Turkish language version of the OCSI was created using a translation, back-translation technique. The instrument's content validity was analyzed by 26 experts. Interrater reliability test was evaluated using Cohen's κ and intraclass correlation coefficients. Data were collected between January 15, 2017 and July 30, 2017 through face-to-face interviews conducted in our Wound and Stoma Therapy Unit.

RESULTS

The overall content validity index was 0.95. Cohen's κ coefficient varied from 0.70 and 1.0 for all items. The Pearson correlation coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient were 0.982 (P = .000) and 0.986 (P = .000), respectively, indicating good internal consistency. The most prevalent complications were leakage (41.1%), peristomal moisture-associated skin damage (42.2%), and stomal retraction (27.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings indicate that the Turkish language version of the Pittman OCSI is a reliable and valid instrument for assessment of presence and severity of early postoperative complications in individuals with an ostomy. We found the instrument parsimonious, easy-to-use, and clinically practical. It can be used to determine appropriate interventions to prevent or treat complications and evaluate the effects of nursing interventions designed to improve outcomes for patients with ostomies.

Peristomal Medical Adhesive-Related Skin Injury: Results of an International Consensus Meeting

Stomal and peristomal skin complications (PSCs) are prevalent in persons living with an ostomy; more than 80% of individuals with an ostomy will experience a stomal or peristomal complication within 2 years of ostomy surgery. Peristomal skin problems are especially prevalent, and a growing body of evidence indicates that they are associated with clinically relevant impairments in physical function, multiple components of health-related quality of life, and higher costs. Several mechanisms are strongly linked to PSCs including medical adhesive-related skin injuries (MARSIs). Peristomal MARSIs are defined as erythema, epidermal stripping or skin tears, erosion, bulla, or vesicle observed after removal of an adhesive ostomy pouching system. A working group of 3 clinicians with knowledge of peristomal skin health completed a scoping review that revealed a significant paucity of evidence regarding the epidemiology and management of peristomal MARSIs. As a result, an international panel of experts in ostomy care and peristomal MARSIs was convened that used a formal process to generate consensus-based statements providing guidance concerning the assessment, prevention, and treatment of peristomal MARSIs. This article summarizes the results of the scoping review and the 21 consensus-based statements used to guide assessment, prevention, and treatment of peristomal MARSIs, along with recommendations for research priorities.

Risk and Economic Burden of Peristomal Skin Complications Following Ostomy Surgery

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence and economic burden of peristomal skin complications (PSCs) following ostomy surgery.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study based on electronic health records and administrative data stores at a large US integrated healthcare system.

SUBJECTS AND SETTINGS

The sample comprised 168 patients who underwent colostomy (ICD-9-CM 46.1X) (n = 108), ileostomy (46.2X) (n = 40), cutaneous ureteroileostomy (56.5X), or other external urinary diversion (56.6X) (n = 20) between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2014. The study setting was an integrated health services organization that serves more than 2 million persons in the northeastern United States.

METHODS

We scanned electronic health records of all study subjects to identify those with evidence of PSCs within 90 days of ostomy surgery and then examined healthcare utilization and costs over 120 days, beginning with date of surgery, among patients with and without evidence of PSCs. Testing for differences in continuous measures between the 3 ostomy groups was based on one-way analysis of variance; testing for differences in such measures between the PSC and non-PSC groups was based on a t statistic, and the χ statistic was used to test for differences in categorical measures.

RESULTS

Sixty-one subjects (36.3%) had evidence of PSCs within 90 days of ostomy surgery (ileostomy, 47.5%; colostomy, 36.1%; urinary diversion, 15.0%; P < .05 for differences between groups). Among patients with evidence of PSCs, the mean (SD) time from surgery to first notation of this complication was 26.4 (19.0) days; it was 24.1 (13.2) days for ileostomy, 27.2 (21.1) days for colostomy, and 31.7 (25.7) days for urinary diversion (P = .752). Patients with PSCs were more likely to be readmitted to hospital by day 120 (55.7% vs 35.5% for those without PSCs; P = .011). The mean length of stay for patients readmitted to hospital was 11.0 days for those with PSCs and 6.8 days for those without PSCs (P = .111). The mean total healthcare cost over 120 days was $58,329 for patients with evidence of PSCs and $50,298 for those without evidence of PSCs (P = .251).

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately one-third of ostomy patients developed PSCs within 90 days of their surgery. Peristomal skin complications are associated with a greater likelihood of hospital readmission. Our findings corroborate results of earlier studies.

Management of Moisture-Associated Skin Damage: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND:

Protecting the skin against moisture-associated damage is an important component of comprehensive skin and wound care. Based on a review of literature, the authors propose key interventions to protect and prevent damage in the skin folds, perineum, and areas surrounding a wound or stoma.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this scoping review is to identify and provide a narrative integration of the existing evidence related to the management and prevention of moisture-associated skin damage (MASD).

METHODS:

Study authors searched several databases for a broad spectrum of published and unpublished studies in English, published between 2000 and July 2015. Selected study information was collated in several different formats; ultimately, key findings were aggregated into a thematic description of the evidence to help generate a set of summative statements or recommendations.

RESULTS:

Based on inclusion criteria, 37 articles were considered appropriate for this review. Findings included functional definitions and prevalence rates of the 4 types of MASD, assessment scales for each, and 7 evidence-based strategies for the management of MASD.

CONCLUSIONS:

Based on this scoping review of literature, the authors propose key interventions to protect and prevent MASD including the use of barrier ointments, liquid polymers, and cyanoacrylates to create a protective layer that simultaneously maintains hydration levels while blocking external moisture and irritants.

A Randomized Controlled Trial Determining Variances in Ostomy Skin Conditions and the Economic Impact (ADVOCATE Trial)

PURPOSE

To compare ostomy-related costs and incidence of peristomal skin complications (PSCs) for ceramide-infused ostomy skin barriers and control skin barriers.

DESIGN

The ADVOCATE trial is a multi-centered randomized controlled trial, and double-blinded international study with an adaptive design.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING

The sample comprised 153 adults from 25 sites from the United States, Canada, and Europe. Participants were seen in hospital and outpatient care settings.

METHODS

Data were collected by investigators at each site during face-to-face visits and during telephone check-in calls between visits. Cost of care data were collected using a questionnaire developed specifically for the study. The peristomal skin was assessed using the Ostomy Skin Tool. Health-related quality of life was measured using the SF-12v2. Patient-reported outcomes were collected using a patient-centered study-specific questionnaire. Cost of care was analyzed via analysis of covariance comparing total cost of care for 12 weeks between the 2 groups. The incidence of PSC was analyzed via Barnard's exact test comparing the incidence of PSCs between the control and treatment groups. Tertiary outcomes were exploratory in nature and not statistically powered.

RESULTS

Use of the ceramide-infused barrier significantly reduced stoma-related cost of care over a 12-week period, resulting in a $36.46 decrease in cost (14% relative decrease). The adjusted average costs were $223.73 in the treatment group and $260.19 in the control group (P = .017). The overall incidence of PSCs in the study was 47.7%; PSC incidence was 40.5% for the treatment group versus 55.4% for controls (P = .069, 95% confidence interval of the difference: -1.2 to 30.4). Significantly more participants using the ceramide-infused skin barrier were "very satisfied" with barrier performance (75% vs 55%; P = .033), prevention of leakage (63% vs 38%; P < .01), and prevention of itching (53% vs 31%; P = .016). General postoperative improvement in health-related quality of life was noted in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of a ceramide-infused barrier significantly decreased cost and increased satisfaction with patient-reported outcomes.

Ostomy skin complications treated with rhassoul: case studies

Skin complications are common in people who have an ostomy, and often involve the skin's function as a barrier breaking down. Many products have been developed to prevent and treat complications. However, in developing countries, they may be too expensive for patients to buy or not be available. Three case studies found the use of rhassoul, an affordable clay that is readily available in Morocco, to manage peristomal skin damage and protect the skin. Its protective properties are believed to include its ability to absorb and neutralise substances in ostomy output that damage skin and to act as a barrier.

North America Wound, Ostomy, and Continence and Enterostomal Therapy Nurses Current Ostomy Care Practice Related to Peristomal Skin Issues

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to describe the practice of 796 ostomy nurses in North America in 2014 related to peristomal skin issues.

DESIGN

Descriptive study.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING

Participants were 796 wound, ostomy, and continence (WOC) and enterostomal therapy (ET) nurses currently practicing in the United States or Canada and caring for patients with ostomies. The collection of data occurred in conjunction with an educational program on peristomal skin complications and practice issues and solicited the participant's perception on the incidence and frequency of peristomal skin issues as well as on practice patterns.

METHODS

Participants attended an educational program. They were also asked to anonymously respond to multiple-choice questions on ostomy care management via an audience response system followed by discussion of each item and their responses. This descriptive study reports on the answers to the questions as well as the pertinent discussion points.

RESULTS

Participants estimated that approximately 77.70% of their patients developed peristomal skin issues. The most commonly encountered problem was irritant contact dermatitis (peristomal moisture-associated skin damage). Contributing factors were inappropriate use of a pouching system owing to lack of follow-up after hospital discharge. Reported interventions for the prevention and management of peristomal skin issues included preoperative stoma site marking, use of a convex pouching system, and barrier rings. However, subsequent discussion revealed that the frequency of use of these products varied considerably. Participants identified shortened hospital stays, absence of preoperative stoma marking, and limited outpatient follow-up as contributing to development of peristomal skin problems.

CONCLUSION

WOC and ET nurses estimate that more than three-quarters of persons living with an ostomy develop peristomal skin problems. Multiple interventions for managing these problems were identified, but some variability in management approaches emerged.

Use of Convexity in Ostomy Care: Results of an International Consensus Meeting

Ostomy skin barriers that incorporate a convexity feature have been available in the marketplace for decades, but limited resources are available to guide clinicians in selection and use of convex products. Given the widespread use of convexity, and the need to provide practical guidelines for appropriate use of pouching systems with convex features, an international consensus panel was convened to provide consensus-based guidance for this aspect of ostomy practice. Panelists were provided with a summary of relevant literature in advance of the meeting; these articles were used to generate and reach consensus on 26 statements during a 1-day meeting. Consensus was achieved when 80% of panelists agreed on a statement using an anonymous electronic response system. The 26 statements provide guidance for convex product characteristics, patient assessment, convexity use, and outcomes.

Aerosol steroids for the treatment of peristomal mucocutaneous breakdown due to severe eczema

INTRODUCTION

We describe a novel treatment of mucocutaneous peristomal junction breakdown in a patient with severe eczema using aerosol steroids, where conventional methods failed to achieve healing.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

Observation and photographic evidence showing resolution of severe peristomal eczema in a patient, in whom systemic steroids were contraindicated, using a topical aerosol steroid. We found complete resolution of peristomal eczema and symptoms within four weeks.

DISCUSSION

Topical aerosol steroids are better tolerated than alcohol based steroid preparations, achieve improved stoma appliance adherence in comparison to oil based steroid preparations and reduce systemic side effects in comparison to systemic oral steroids.

CONCLUSION

Aerosol steroids appear to be a safe and effective way to treat refractory peristomal eczema and may be of use in other peristomal inflammatory conditions including contact dermatitis.

Intradermal botulinum toxin a for peristomal hyperhidrosis: a case study

BACKGROUND

Peristomal hyperhidrosis can interfere with pouch adherence, resulting in pouch leakage and peristomal skin damage.

CASE

A patient with autonomic dysregulation resulting in excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) experienced difficulty with adherence of her ileostomy appliance. Two hundred units of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) were injected in the dermis of the surrounding skin in order to improve adherence of her pouching system and alleviate moisture of her peristomal skin.

RESULTS

Following BTX-A injection, the typical wear time of her pouching system improved from less than 24 hours to 120 hours. Peristomal moisture-associated skin damage resolved almost completely. These effects lasted 3 months. A repeat intradermal BTX-A injection had a similar positive effect.

CONCLUSION

Peristomal hyperhidrosis can be controlled with BTX-A intradermal injections, improving patient pouch adherence and alleviating moisture-associated skin damage.

Avoidance and management of stomal complications

The construction of an intestinal stoma is fraught with complications and should not be considered a trivial undertaking. Serious complications requiring immediate reoperations can occur, as can minor problems that will subject the patient to daily and nightly distress. Intestinal stomas undoubtedly will dramatically change lifestyles; patients will experience physiologic and psychologic detriment with stoma-related problems, however minor they may seem. Common complications include poor stoma siting, high output, skin irritation, ischemia, retraction, parastomal hernia (PH), and prolapse. Surgeons should be cognizant of these complications before, during, and after stoma creation, and adequate measures should be taken to avoid them. In this review, the authors highlight these often seen problems and discuss management and prevention strategies.

The incidence of stoma and peristomal complications during the first 3 months after ostomy creation

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to examine stoma and peristomal complications and related variables among adults with ostomies. The primary study aim was to determine the incidence of peristomal and stoma complications during the first 3 months after stoma creation.

DESIGN

Data were collected using a prospective, repeated-measures descriptive study design.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING

Data were collected at 2 university-based hospitals with outpatient ostomy clinics in the Midwestern United States. The sample included 43 adults with newly created colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy stomas.

METHODS

Participants were examined for the presence of complications up to 4 times during a 3-month period: within 7 days of surgery. Patients were also evaluated at 2, 6, and 12 weeks after stoma creation. Data were collected using a validated instrument with acceptable interrater reliability.

RESULTS

Peristomal skin complications developed in 27 participants, comprising 63% of the sample. The onset of peristomal skin complications occurred most frequently during the 21- to 40-day time period. The most common skin conditions at nearly all time intervals were irritation (peristomal moisture-associated skin damage) and infection. Of the 18 participants observed 70 days or longer, just 7 (38%) remained free of peristomal skin complications throughout the study. Six participants developed 1 or more stoma complications, all of which occurred 20 or more days after surgery. No demographic or clinical factors were found to be associated with the development of complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the participants were evaluated at regular intervals by a specialized nurse, the majority experienced peristomal skin complications. These results underscore the importance of further work in interventions to prevent and treat peristomal skin complications and to provide ongoing outpatient follow-up to individuals with stomas.

Systematic review of educational interventions for ostomates

BACKGROUND

Stoma-related complications lead to increased hospital length of stay and readmissions. Although education of new ostomates is widely recommended, there is a lack of data regarding effective evidence-based educational interventions to prevent or decrease these complications.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature for educational interventions for new ostomates designed to decrease stoma-related complications.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed was searched for studies on educational interventions for new ostomates.

STUDY SELECTION

Studies were included if they were in English, targeted adult stoma patients, and evaluated an educational intervention at the time of stoma creation.

INTERVENTION

Educational interventions were performed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The outcomes of interest were length of stay, complications, and readmissions.

RESULTS

We found 1706 articles of which 7 met the inclusion criteria. Two were randomized controlled trials, and the rest were cohort studies. The overall quality of the studies was low. Each study used a unique intervention. However, all incorporated a specialized colorectal or ostomy nurse. Of the 5 studies that evaluated length of stay, 2 found a reduction in length of stay associated with the intervention, but 3 found no difference. Two studies found a reduction in complications, but 2 found no difference. Of the 3 studies that evaluated readmissions, none found a difference in the intervention group compared with the control group.

LIMITATIONS

This study is limited by the search of a single database and the inclusion of only English language studies.

CONCLUSION

Education is a key component of patient care; however, evidence to support an improvement in clinical outcomes is lacking. Further study is needed by the use of rigorous designs to craft a feasible educational intervention that will lead to improved patient care and outcomes.

Nutritional status of pediatric patients submitted to ostomy procedures

OBJECTIVE

To assess the nutritional status of children submitted to ostomy for intestinal discharge.

METHODS

A descriptive case series was carried out including 30 children aged up to ten years old submitted to colostomy or ileostomy at the pediatric surgery unit of Institute of Medicine Professor Fernando Figueira, Recife, Pernambuco. Socioeconomic, clinical, anthropometric, and laboratorial (hemoglobin and hematocrit) data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Nutritional status was determined based on anthropometric indicators (height/age, weight/age, and body mass index/age), which were stratified by gender, with World Health Organization standards as reference. Arm circumference and triceps skinfold were measured for the evaluation of body composition. Chest and head perimeters were measured on children aged up to five years-old. The Student's t-test was applied to compare two independent groups, considering p<0.05 as significant.

RESULTS

All anthropometric indicators revealed nutritional deficit, especially in the height/age index, which revealed a frequency of 24.1% of short statue. Patients submitted to ileostomy presented lower mean Z score of anthropometric indicators, hemoglobin, hematocrit and ostomy time in comparison to those submitted to colostomy, with significant differences only for the Z score of body mass index/age (p=0.016), hemoglobin (p=0.025), and hematocrit (p=0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a substantial frequency of nutritional deficit in the analyzed sample, especially based on the height/age index. Although ileostomized patients had less time of ostomy, they had higher nutritional deficit compared to the colostomized ones, likely due to greater risk of postoperative complications, with consequent nutritional impairment.

The advanced practice wound ostomy continence nurse in homecare

Wound ostomy continence (WOC) programs are essential in any healthcare organization, including home care agencies, to provide comprehensive, high-quality care. Advanced practice nurses (APNs) with assessment, diagnostic, and coordination skills are well suited to manage the complex patients being cared for by home care agencies. A number of research studies have assessed the credibility and value of APNs in the home care setting, caring for complex, frail patients. This article describes the role of the APN, and the role of the WOC specialist nurse, comparing similarities and differences. The advanced practice WOC nurse is now essential in the home care setting to manage the care of complex patients.

Role of ileostomy in restorative proctocolectomy

Restorative proctocolectomy (RP) is the treatment of choice in patients affected with refractory ulcerative colitis or familial adenomatous polyposis. Surgery in elective settings is often performed in 2 stages, fashioning an ileostomy which is closed 2-3-mo later. It is still debated whether omitting ileostomy could offer advantages in the management of patients undergoing RP.

Evaluation of a cyanoacrylate dressing to manage peristomal skin alterations under ostomy skin barrier wafers

BACKGROUND

Peristomal skin alterations under ostomy barrier wafers are a commonly reported problem. While a number of interventions to manage this issue have been reported, the use of a topically applied cyanoacrylate has received little attention. This case series describes the use of a topical cyanoacrylate for the management of peristomal skin alterations in persons living with an ostomy.

CASE PRESENTATIONS

Using a convenience sample, the topical cyanoacrylate dressing was applied to 11 patients with peristomal skin disruption under ostomy wafers in acute care and outpatient settings. The causes of barrier function interruption were also addressed to enhance outcomes. Patients were assessed for wound discomfort using a Likert Scale, time to healing, and number of appliance changes. Patient satisfaction was also examined.

CONCLUSION

Average reported discomfort levels were 9.5 out of 10 at the initial peristomal irritation assessment visit decreased to 3.5 at the first wafer change and were absent by the second wafer change. Wafers had increasing wear time between changes in both settings with acute care patients responding faster. Epidermal resurfacing occurred within 10.2 days in outpatients and within 7 days in acute care patients. Because of the skin sealant action of this dressing, immediate adherence of the wafer was reported at all pouch changes.