Temporary vs. permanent stoma: factors associated with the development of complications and costs for rectal cancer patients

Objective To compare in-hospital complication rates and treatment costs between rectal cancer patients receiving permanent and temporary stomas. Summary background data Surgical complications and costs associated with permanent stoma formation are still poorly understood. While choosing between the two stoma options is usually based on clinical and technical factors, disparities exist. Methods Patients with rectal cancer, stoma formation, complications, and cost of care were identified from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration Discharge Database. Rectal cancer patients who underwent elective surgery and received a permanent or temporary stoma were identified using ICD-10 codes. Patients who underwent colostomy with resection were included in the “Permanent stoma” group, and those who underwent “resection with ileostomy” were included in the “temporary stoma” group. Multivariable models compared patients receiving temporary vs. permanent stomas. Results Regression models revealed no difference in the odds of having a complication between patients who obtained permanent versus temporary stoma (OR 0.96, 95% CI: 0.70–1.32). Further, after adjusting for the number of surgeries, demographic variables, socioeconomic and regional factors, comorbidities, and type of surgery, there was a significant difference between permanent and temporary stomas for rectal cancer ( ß − 0.05, p = 0.03) in the log cost of creating a permanent stoma. Conclusion Our findings suggest there are no differences associated with complications, and reduced cost for permanent compared to temporary stomas. Increased costs are also associated with receiving minimally invasive surgery. As a result, disparities associated with receipt of MIS could ultimately influence the type of stoma received.