Life with a stoma after curative resection for rectal cancer. A population‐based, cross‐sectional study

AimThe aim of the investigation was to examine life with a stoma after rectal cancer surgery. MethodThis was a population-based, cross-sectional study of patients with a stoma treated for rectal cancer from 2001 to 2007. A questionnaire was mailed to patients who had undergone abdominoperineal excision, Hartmann's procedure and anterior resection with a permanent stoma. ResultsInformative answers were obtained from 644 (88%) of 732 patients. Most (91%) managed the stoma on their own. There was an impact of the stoma on the quality of life in 68% of patients but this was minor in 50%. Leakage of the appliance was reported in 59%, and 58% of patients were disturbed by the smell of faeces. A parastomal hernia was reported in 57% and pain at the stoma site in 30%. There was no association between the impact of the stoma on the quality of life and gender, type of surgery, use of radiochemotherapy or the interval from surgery. ConclusionMost patients reported little or no impact on quality of life resulting from the stoma, but many patients were disturbed by the smell or leakage of faeces. The parastomal hernia rate was extremely high.