The Differences in Postoperative Nursing Between Temporary Ileostomy and Temporary Colostomy: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Background: Ileostomy and colostomy are two effective clinical methods for intestinal diversion, but both have disadvantages. It is necessary to adopt corresponding nursing interventions for stoma patients to improve their quality of life.

Aim: The study explored the recovery status and nursing differences of patients who underwent temporary ileostomy and temporary colostomy.

Design: A retrospective cohort study.

Methods: Patients who underwent temporary ostomy were divided into the ileostomy group and colostomy group according to the surgical method. Relevant clinical data of patients were collected, and differences in postoperative nursing were explored through a chi-square test. Meanwhile, a Quality-of-Life (QOL) assessment was compiled to assess the impact of different ostomy types on patients' postoperative quality of life. The study was conducted according to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) Statement. The research question of the study focuses on how to evaluate the patient's recovery status and provide a basis for targeted nursing care for post-ostomy patients.

Results: The postoperative regular defecation rate of the ileostomy group was significantly lower than that of the colostomy group (p = 0.031), and the anastomotic healing rate of the ileostomy group was significantly higher than that of the colostomy group 1 week postoperatively (p = 0.037). According to the analysis of the QOL assessment, the ileostomy group showed significantly higher tolerance to ostomy faeces odour than the colostomy group (p = 0.002), and postoperative appetite in the ileostomy group was significantly better than that in the colostomy group (p = 0.002).

Conclusions: Compared with the colostomy group, the ileostomy group had a higher anastomotic healing rate 1 week postoperatively, a faster recovery of intestinal peristalsis, a better appetite after surgery, an easier tolerance to the odour of stoma faeces and a higher comprehensive postoperative quality of life.

Relevance to clinical practice: Nurses and other healthcare professionals should be aware of the differences in surgical techniques for stoma patients. Nursing work should strengthen attention to postoperative diet and ostomy hygiene care for colostomy patients.

Patient or public contribution: Fifty patients consented and were enrolled. The stoma surgeries were carried out by the surgical team, while the nursing team was responsible for postoperative care, data collection, analysis and interpretation.

Keywords: enterostomy care; postoperative nursing; quality of life scale; temporary colostomy; temporary ileostomy.

FIGURE 1

CONSORT flow chart for patients' enrolment according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study.

FIGURE 2

Total score of QOL questionnaire. (A) All enrolled patients; (B) patients under 50 years old; (C) patients aged 50 years or older; (D) patients with different self‐care ability; (E) patients with different bowel movement status; (F) patients of different stoma‐related complication status.