[Problems with the stoma. How you can advise your patients].

Stoma management is associated with various problems, depending on the type and location of the stoma and on the individual situation. Besides such general problems as smell, flatulence and local skin problems, typical surgical complications such as retraction and stenosis, prolaps and peristomal hernia are of major relevance. Many of these problems can be avoided by careful placement of the stoma and a meticulous surgical technique. Where indicated, the surgical correction of a problem is usually not very difficult, and is most helpful for the patient.