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. 2021 Jan-Feb;48(1):39-43.
doi: 10.1097/WON.0000000000000730.

The Use of a Stoma Rod/Bridge to Prevent Retraction: A Systematic Review

Eleftherios Gialamas  1   2   3   4   5   6 , Jeremy Meyer  1   2   3   4   5   6 , Ziad Abbassi  1   2   3   4   5   6 , Sotirios Popeskou  1   2   3   4   5   6 , Nicolas Christian Buchs  1   2   3   4   5   6 , Frédéric Ris  1   2   3   4   5   6
Affiliations

The Use of a Stoma Rod/Bridge to Prevent Retraction: A Systematic Review

Eleftherios Gialamas et al. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs. 2021 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

Purpose: We evaluated evidence related to the use of a rod (bridge) to prevent stoma retraction during loop ostomy construction.

Methods: We completed a systematic review of the literature. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and COCHRANE databases up to December 4, 2019. We posed the following question based on a PICO format. Do adult patients undergoing ostomy surgery experience less stomal retraction when compared to patients managed without placement of a stoma rod?

Findings: Our initial search returned 182 articles; after reading studies in full, 5 articles were identified that collectively enrolled 1058 participants. Four studies were randomized controlled trials and one was a prospective cohort study. Meta-analysis could not be performed because of the small number of studies and the heterogeneity of outcomes measurements. The incidence of stoma retraction ranged between 0%-8% in patients managed with a rod and 0.78%-8.2% in patients with no rod. The number of reported adverse events was low. Placement of a stoma rod was associated with more adverse outcomes than in patients managed without a rod. Adverse events included local edema, stoma necrosis, skin necrosis, peristomal moisture-associated skin damage (irritant dermatitis), peristomal abscess, bleeding, and mucocutaneous separation.

Conclusions: Stoma rod does not seem to reduce the risk of stoma retraction and might result in other adverse events.

Implications: We recommend avoidance of stoma rod/bridge placement during ostomy surgery.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

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