[Psycho-social reintegration of the urostoma patient]

Abstract

In certain functional disorders of the urinary bladder or invasive carcinoma, cystectomy with urinary diversion to the abdominal wall (urostomy) is indicated and life-prolonging. In order to know what the consequences were for these patients, and if their life with a urostomy is still outwardly worth living, 66 of our urostomy patients have been surveyed. Only one patient is on a disablement pension because of the urostomy. The limitations on leisure are mostly the realms of sport and travel; married life, despite sexual problems, is comparatively little affected. The causes for the limitations are discussed. For most patients the urinary diversion brought an improvement in "life comfort", and, generally, it can be said that urostomy is not an disabling operation and psychosocial reintegration is possible.