The nutritional impact of diverting stoma-related complications in elderly rectal cancer patients

Purpose: Diverting stomas following rectal cancer surgery can affect patients' quality of life, and their complications may negatively affect patients' long-term outcomes and quality of life. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between diverting stoma-related complications and nutritional status. Methods: In a retrospective study of 114 patients aged 65 years and older who underwent diverting loop ileostomy following rectal cancer surgery between June 2004 and March 2011, we analyzed retrospectively diverting stoma-related complications and nutrition status for the following time periods: before stoma construction, before stoma closure, and after stoma closure. Results: Complications related to the diverting stoma developed in 24 (21.1 %) patients and complications related to stoma closure in 11 (9.6 %) patients. Nutritional screening performed prior to stoma closure showed that patients who experienced stoma formation-related complications had lower albumin levels (P = 0.016) and lower total lymphocytes (P = <0.0001). Body weight loss was more severe in patients with stoma-related complication (P = 0.036). Conclusions: Diverting stoma-related complications may affect patient's nutritional status. Stoma closure operation and proper nutritional support may be important for avoiding complications and improving patients' long-term outcomes and quality of life.