“Statistics regarding ostomy-related metrics remain elusive in the United States because of underreporting and coding limitations. The estimated number of ostomates in the United States is 750,000 to 1 million, with approximately 150,000 new ostomies created each year. Stoma creation has a relatively high rate of associated morbidity, ranging from 20% to 80%; peristomal skin complications and parastomal hernia (PSH) are the most common associ-
ated morbidities. A population-based study using the Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative, which included 4250 patients, identified a 37% unadjusted surgical complication rate for elective cases involving an ostomy and 55% unadjusted surgical complication rate for emergency cases involving an ostomy. In this study, risk-adjusted stomarelated morbidity rates varied significantly among hospitals, indicating a potential to improve outcomes in outlying institutions.”

“Although not proscriptive, these guidelines provide information on which decisions can
be made and do not dictate a specific treatment. These guidelines are intended for the use of all practitioners, health care workers, and patients who desire information on the management of the conditions addressed by the topics covered. These guidelines should not be deemed inclusive of all proper methods of care nor exclusive of methods of care reasonably directed toward obtaining the same results. The judgment regarding the propriety of any specific procedure must be made by the physician considering all the circumstances of a patient.”

Davis, Bradley R et al. “The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Clinical Practice Guidelines for Ostomy Surgery.” Diseases of the colon and rectum vol. 65,10 (2022): 1173-1190. Full Text for Emory Users