COMPLICATIONS OF COLOSTOMY AND THEIR MANAGEMENT

Objectives: To know about the incidence of different complications of colostomy and to take appropriatemeasures to prevent and treat these complications.Material and Methods: This prospective study was carried out in surgical unit Saidu Teaching HospitalSaidu Sharif Swat from Feb 2009 to Jan 2012. All patients of both sexes from new born up to 80 years of ageadmitted to surgical unit who underwent colostomy were included in the Study. Complications associatedwith colostomy were recorded.Results: Total number of patients was 60. Colostomies performed in infants and Children were mainly forAnorectal Malformation or Hirschsprung's disease, who were later on sent for definitive procedures, tospecialized units, while in Adults it was done for Colorectal Carcinoma, Trauma , high Level Fistula in Anoor Colovesical Fistula. In 39 patients sigmoid while in 21 patients transverse colostomy was constructed.Complications related to colostomy occurred in 23 ( 38.33%) patients. Diarrhea, Skin Excoriation, Hairaround Colostomy, Propalse and Wound infection were the common post operative complications . 6(10%)patients, 4 infants and 2 adults died postoperatively.Conclusion: Well fashioned and properly placed Colostomy, proper Stoma care, application of goodquality and well fitted Colostomy appliance, education about colostomy care and early treatment ofColostomy Diarrhea are important factors for prevention of different complications.Key Words: Colostomy, complications, colorectal Carcinoma.