Peristomal Skin Complications and Management

Terminology and Definition

• The term "peristomal" is the standard medical terminology used to describe the skin area immediately adjacent to and surrounding the stoma opening, as consistently used across clinical guidelines from the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and other major medical societies 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
• The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and other major medical societies consistently use the term "peristomal" to describe the skin area immediately adjacent to and surrounding the stoma opening 1, 2, 3

Clinical Significance

• The most frequent cause of peristomal skin damage is leakage of effluent (stool or urine) onto the skin from poorly fitting appliances, affecting the quality of life in ostomates 1, 2, 3, 6
• Other peristomal conditions include allergic contact dermatitis, fungal infections, folliculitis, and peristomal pyoderma gangrenosum, which can be painful and affect the quality of life in ostomates 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Management Principles

• Preoperative stoma site marking by wound ostomy and continence (WOC) nurses has been shown to decrease peristomal skin complications and improve quality of life in ostomates, as recommended by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and other major medical societies 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6