Ostomy care and rehabilitation in colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVES

To review ostomy care in colorectal cancer, current trends in assessment, management, and treatment, and the role of the enterostomal therapy (ET) nurse in cancer care.

DATA SOURCES

Published literature and the author's clinical experiences in ostomy wound care.

CONCLUSION

Care of the patient with colorectal cancer requiring an ostomy involves both physical and psychological rehabilitation. The education and skills of an ET/wound, ostomy, and continence (WOC) nurse can provide a valuable service to the patient/family, surgeon, oncology nurse, and other health care providers. IMPLICATIONS FOR ONCOLOGY NURSES: An ostomy is not a handicapping procedure. Living well with a colostomy can be achieved through proper patient preparation, education, and planning. Provision of individualized comprehensive care facilitates physical and psychological rehabilitation.