Living with a Urostomy

Abstract

Sixty-six patients subjected to an ileal conduit urinary diversion on account of bladder cancer (44 patients) or incontinence or bladder dysfunction (22 patients) were investigated. Stoma and skin complications were frequently observed and the patients who practiced inadequate stoma-care routines were more likely to show peristomal-skin complications, compared with the rest of the patients. With the passage of time after surgery, a quarter of the patients obtained full disability pensions. Stoma-related problems were the main causative factor in half of these cases. The majority of the bladder-cancer males reported were more likely to report decreased rather than no sexual activity. Compared with the females with bladder cancer, females with the diagnosis of incontinence or bladder dysfunction were more likely to increase their sexual activity after the operation. Bladder-cancer patients more frequently curtailed their social activities, compared with the patients with the diagnosis of incontinence or bladder dysfunction.

Key words:

• urinary diversion
• urostomy
• stoma complications
• skin complications
• stoma care
• work status
• disability pension
• sexual activity
• psychosocial adjustment
• social activity