Life with an ileal conduit: results of questionnaire surveys of patients and urological surgeons.

Two questionnaire surveys were undertaken to investigate the problems experienced by patients and staff in coping with ileal conduits. A survey of 34 patients showed that the major problems were urinary leakage and skin excoriation. In 7 out of 13 patients, leakage was associated with contour problems due to abdominal hernias of recession of the stoma. Fifty-seven questionnaires were received from British urologists, who each constructed, on average, 7 ileal conduits per annum. Twenty of 57 surgeons had no stomatherapist. Leakage and skin reactions were once again the most commonly encountered problems. It was concluded that the most severe leakage problems could be prevented by careful surgical technique. However, most of the day-to-day problems could be handled by a competent stomatherapist.