Exploring the conditions leading to stoma-forming surgery.

The most common disease leading to the formation of a stoma is cancer. However, there are many other diseases that affect the gastrointestinal or urinary system that may also require either a temporary or permanent stoma to be formed (a colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy). Stoma-forming surgery may be undertaken for a number of reasons, such as to eradicate a disease or improve the patient's quality of life. Cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and diverticular disease are the most common conditions that lead to stoma formation. However, faecal incontinence, familial adenomatous polyposis, Hirschsprung's disease, spina bifida and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome may also require a stoma to be formed. The nurse's role in caring for these patients at a potentially traumatic period of their life is discussed.