Objective: Patients with colorectal cancer who need a stoma should undergo preoperative marking of the stoma site and education by a trained stomatherapist. This study examined the care received by ostomy patients with colorectal cancer in Spanish colorectal surgery units, to assess its quality and to detect areas for improvement.
Method: A prospective study was conducted in twelve Spanish colorectal surgery units in Spain including patients visited by the stomatherapist after surgery for colorectal cancer. Each patient answered a questionnaire about their stoma care.
Results: Between September 2007 and May 2008, 270 patients were included, (63% colostomies, 37% ileostomies). Of whom; 75% had elective and 25% emergency surgery. Stomatherapist marked the stoma site in 45,6% of patients (0% emergency created stomas and 58,8% elective). However, patients who saw a stoma therapist preoperatively presented significantly lower rates of stoma complications (p < 0.001) and anxiety (p < 0.001) compared to those who did not postoperatively.
Conclusions: The study has demonstrated the importance of preoperative stomatherapy assessment.