STOMA-RELATED COMPLICATIONS AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON QUALITY OF LIFE

Stoma formation is a common surgical procedure performed for patients with colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, trauma, and other gastrointestinal conditions. Despite its life-saving role, stoma creation is associated with a wide range of postoperative complications that significantly affect patients’ physical, psychological, and social well-being. Stoma-related complications such as peristomal skin disorders, parastomal hernia, stoma prolapse, retraction, stenosis, and high-output stoma occur frequently and may lead to reduced quality of life, increased healthcare utilization, and impaired social functioning. This thesis analyzes the most common stoma-related complications and evaluates their influence on quality of life based on evidence from clinical studies, systematic reviews, and international guidelines.