Patient evaluation of the conventional ileostomy.

A survey of 322 ileostomates was undertaken to assess the impact of an ileostomy and determine problems that are encountered by patients. Most patients (72 percent) felt they led normal lives with the ileostomy and encountered fewer restrictions in life-style than with their disease. However, only 35 percent of patients felt their ileostomies functioned perfectly. Skin irritation (49 percent), offensive noise and odor (42 percent), detection of the appliance (17 percent), and difficulty in handling the appliance (29 percent) were some of the problems encountered. Psychologic problems were related to poor body image (22 percent) and sterility or impotence (12 percent). All of these problems, however, were less than had been anticipated. Various sources of information were available to the ileostomate. However, about 50 percent of patients felt they received inadequate preoperative information or counseling.