The role of the ET nurse in managing Gardner's syndrome.

Gardner's syndrome is a genetic disease that carries a 100% risk of malignant degeneration if left untreated. The syndrome is characterized by the presence of numerous colon polyps, along with a wide variety of extracolonic manifestations. The presence of these extracolonic manifestations increase morbidity and make treatment more difficult. The surgical procedure commonly used to manage the disease is total colectomy with creation of an ileoanal reservoir. The incidences of intestinal obstruction, genitourinary obstruction, septicemia, and fistula formation increase with the growth of desmoid tumors, which are one of the extracolonic manifestations of the disease. The ET nurse plays an essential role in the care of the patient with Gardner's syndrome. Whether acting as a consultant or primary care provider, the ET nurse provides emotional support, educates, and establishes a plan of care to manage the ostomies, skin problems, complex wounds, and fistulas associated with Gardner's syndrome.