Peristomal Skin Complications - Northeast Surgical Wound Care
Transcription
Peristomal Skin Complications - Northeast Surgical Wound Care
By Paula Erwin-Toth, MSN, RN, CWOCN, CNS, Linda J. Stricker, MSNjED, WIse RN, CWOCN, and Lia van Rijswijk, RN, MSN, CWCN Peristomal Skin Complications Successful treatment can mean a successful ostomy. ination of urine or fecal material can have a profound effect on the quality of patients' lives. In patients who experiand stomas that allowcomplicathe elimence stomal or peristomal tions, these effects can be severe.',2 Clinicians playa crucial role in preventing these complications and in improving stoma or ostomy patients' quality of life. One study involving 3,042 stoma patients in Europe found that although patients' scores on quality-oflife measures improved after hospital discharge, those who were satisfied with the care they'd received had higher scores on the Stoma Quality of Life Index than those who weren't satisfied.' Peristomal skin conditions are a common complication in patients with stomas. Depending on the stoma type, rates of peristomal skin problems of between 30% and 60% have been reported.4-6 The prevention and management of alterations in peristomal skin integrity offer unique challenges for clinicians and patients. An overview of peristomal skin complications can be beneficial to nurses caring for such patients. Ostomies CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS Successful rehabilitation in people with ostomies is dependent on a secure, reliable, and odor-proof pouching system, with containment of effluent. The system's security is dependent on healthy peristomal skin and a well-fitted pouch. When either of these two factors is impaired, nursing care involves interventions that address the underlying causes and create an environment for healing. The combination of a leaking pouch and peristomal skin conditions can challenge even the most experienced nurse. Selection of the pouching system occurs after surgery, and is based on the type of stoma, the patient's lifestyle, and the patient's abdominal contours.7,8 Postoperatively, mucosal edema diminishes and the contour of the abdomen usually changes. A pouching system that no longer fits properly can leak, exposing the peristomal skin to urine or bowel contents and damaging the epidermis. The importance of skin integrity. Ideally, peristomal skin will look as healthy as any tissue on the body (such as on the other side of the abdomen); ioe.com ajn@waltetskfuwer.cam likewise, alterations in peristomal skin integrity, such as infection, can demonstrate classic clinical patterns of skin conditions seen elsewhere on the body.9, 10 The principles of wound care apply to managing peristomal skin conditions, which begins with assessment: lesion size, drainage, the presence of devitalized tissue, the condition of the adjacent skin, and underlying problems associated with the wound. Nurses must make a careful accounting of factors within the patient, such as comorbid conditions, that can affect healing. Options for the care of peristomal skin conditions often involve the use of skin barrier powder and appropriate wound-care products. Nurses should also consider how well the pouching system works for the patient and modification of the pouching system to help heal the skin lesion. COMMON PERISTOMAL SKIN CONDITIONS Regardless of stoma type, one skin complication predisposes patients to concurrent (secondary) peristomal skin issues. The challenge is to determine the causative factors (see Table 1'0-14). The Cleveland Clinic stoma registry data (see The Cleveland Clinic Stoma Registry) and the literature indicate that most peristomal skin conditions fall into the following general etiologic categories: chemical, infectious, mechanical, immunologic, and disease related. The most common conditions are irritant dermatitis, mechanical trauma, and candidiasis.9-11,15, 16Other stomal irregularities associated with peristomal skin problems include the stoma being flush with surrounding skin, a parastomal hernia, and improper sizing of the pouch aperture. In addition, problems AJN .•. February 2010 '" Vol. 110, No.2 43 ~ !; 'Ii' " 11 ,ill Table 1. Common Peristomal Skin Conditions !~ CLASSIFICATION CAUSATION CHARACTERISTICS TREATMENT Usually associated with exposure of skin to intestinal effiuent, Area appears red, moist, and Product usage and techniques are reviewed to determine ~ Irritant dermatitis adhesives from the pouching system, skin barrier paste, cleansers, or solvents that painful; may be localized to a specific area of leaking or where the pouch is undermined. the cause. Pouching system is revised and refitted where indicated. undermine the pouch seal. Pseudoverrucous lesions Usually seen with urinary diversions, these are over- Irritation leads over time to First modify the pouching hyperkeratosis (thickening of growths of tissue caused by exposure of skin to an irritant. outermost layer of epidermis) system to fit the stoma and abdominal contours. Some and acanthosis (thickening of prickle cell layer of the skin)" These wart-like lesions bleed skin barriers melt down rapidly when exposed to watery effluent. An extended-wear easily and are localized to the area of chronic exposure; usually gray, white, or reddish skin barrier provides extra Alkaline urine, which may indicate concentrated urine or bacterial proliferation (or both!, increases risk of lesion development." brown and painful. protection. "Wear time" of the pouching system must be discussed, as patients with these lesions often don't change the system frequently enough. Surgical revision may be needed. For small, shallow ulcers, dusting the area with a skin barrier powder then blotting it with a nonstinging skin barrier before pouch application provides a healing environment that doesn't interfere with the pouch seal. Warm, moist areas create an environment conducive to Candidiasis Candida fungus growth of Presents as moist or wet denuded areas with pustules under the pouching system. sufficient magnitude to cause inflommation in the peristomal skin." Certain conditions or center and a group of satellite lesions with an advancing events predispose patients to border. Untreated, pustules candidiasis, including diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression, antibiotic use, anemia, surgery, obesity, increased perspiration, and leakage under the pouch- Hallmarks are a bright red First use a topical antifungal agent and create a dry environment under the pouching system. Antifungal powders work well under pouching systems and don't interfere with the pouch seal. Instruct can coalesce into plaques potients to thoroughly cleanse with dry, scaly, or weepy skin. Patients report pruritus and and dry the skin during pouch changes, refit pouching systems that don't work, and add skin sealants or rol~n burning or stinging sensations. ing system. antiperspirants if moisture continues to be a problem and skin barrier powder to treat denuded skin. Cellulitis The most common cellulitis- Serious infection affecting the Because cellulitis involves causing bacteria are group A streptococci. Skin normally deepest or subcutaneous layer deeper layers of the skin, of skin, cellulitis of peristomal patient is at risk for sepsis. provides an effective barrier to bacterial pathogen invasion, but laceration or ulceration of skin is characterized byerythema, induration, warmth, Involve primary care physician in plan of care. Treatment edema, and intense localized peristomal skin can leave pain. Patient may report fever and chills. options include revision of pouching system where indicated and local skin and exposed lower layers of skin at risk for cellulitis infection. wound care with appropriate dressing. Systemic IV antibiotics are required in more severe cases, otherwise oral antimicrobials may suffice. Incision and drainage be needed. 44 AJN 'I' February 2010 'I' Vol. 110, No.2 may a;nonline.com CLASSIFICATION Folliculitis CAUSATION CHARACTERISTICS TREATMENT Usually results from traumatic Hair follicles are inflamed; Skin barrier powder, aerosol hair removal during pouch lesions are painful and moist. Erythema as pinpoint pustules antiinflammatory change, followed by infectious process; infectious micro- 11 organism is most often Staphylococcus aureus. II product, and topical antimicrobial powder as needed for local skin care. or papules localized at the hair follicles and pruritus may Once area is healed, it should be seen. Patients usually have be carefully shaved. Use of adhesive remover and skin sealant is advised. Review history of aggressive pouch removal or shoving the peristarnal skin too frequently, too closely, or dry. skin care techniques specific to the person's needs, reinstruct in safe pouch removal, and modify pouching system where indicated. e 'pidly 'n't ntly May be related to acidic effluent from stoma, undue Separation of suture line at Interventions include initial and junction of stomal mucosa and tension on suture line, inappropriate pouch system, or pouch skin. May be superficial or deep, partial or circumferen- ongoing assessments-noting the extent of the problem, overfilling (causing pulling on the area). 11 Patients who tial. When surgeon constructs the stoma, stoma mucosa is have diabetes mellitus, are sutured to subcuticular layer of skin within the dermis. and When this suture line is com- and the amount of drainage)gentle cleansing, and revision immunocompromised, may dlow or have poor visceral protein stores are at heightened risk. ·ith a blot- promised, gap can be seen belween stoma and adjacent skin. Problem can involve partial or full thickness tissue loss skin licawi- and encompass part or all of ;ere mucocutaneous junction. II including "prob[ing] the area of separation to determine the depth (shallow or deep) circumference,"13 the pres- ence of any necrotic tissue, of the pouching system. Partialthickness separation can be managed with skin barrier powder, whereas full-thickness separation requires an appropriate wound care product, such as calcium alginate or hydrofiber with or without silver. To help prevent retraction of stoma below skin level, mon- )01 1vi- ng rs itor healing process carefully and consider addition of con- e vexily to the pouching system, as in an oulwardly rounded Ict barrier ring that adds pressure to skin around the stoma. Scar tissue can also cause stricture Jnse ouch IS- (narrowing) of the stoma, which n requires consultation far proper pouch fitting and, sometimes, surgical revision. External item or force causes damage to the stoma ar skin, Pressure ulcers can involve partial- or full-thickness tissue loss, Assess the pouching system for needed revisions, and the or both, from compression, laceration, friction, shear, or lacerations, denuded skin, and pain, and can lead to cellulitis. patient's technique for needed stripping of the epidermis. Contributing ;ician factors include include skin barrier powder parastomal hernia, weight gain, or a prolapsed stoma. for partial-thickness ulcers or selected wound-care products, such as calcium alginate or f Idi- hydrofiber with or without silver (with a secondary dressing) to fill the wound and iate ,iotics maintain a healing environment without interfering with ~re mi~ the pouching system, for fullthickness ulcers. ion 'ins. com education. Treatment is dependent on ulcer size and can ajn@wo/terskluwer.com AJN" February 2010 "Vol. ] 10, No.2 45 CAUSATION CLASSIFICATION Mucosal transplantation (also known as mucosal implants) Transplantation of intestinal epithelial cells into the epidermis during stoma creation; the needle is brought up through CHARACTERISTICS TREATMENT Small patches of moist, red mucosal tissue, scattered Dust islets with skin barrier around the peri stomal area, change to absorb moisture flush with the peristomal skin" and support an intact pouch seal. Physician may cauterize powder with every pouch all the skin layers, picking up mucus membrane from the using silver nitrate or electric intestinal mucosa and "seeding" the mucosal tissue into the cautery. May necessitate more epidermis (can be avoided by suturing the bowel mucosa to changes and increasing pouch frequent pouching system aperture to allow islets to be in opening. Exposed skin should then be protected with a non- the subcuticular layer of skin). water soluble skin product, such as barrier wipes. Sensitivity to a specific product or part of the pouching system, which causes an inflammatory Remove the allergen, avoid Clinical features include erythema; edema; and eroded, other irritants, and protect the skin. Modern ostomy products are designed to be hypoaller- response seen in the peristomal skin. The initial exposure weepy, sometimes bleeding skin with pruritus, stinging, and burning sensations. to the allergen causes an Persistent erythema usually cor- immune response, which trig- responds ta the area of skin in gers the release of antibodies contact with the specific product. Transient erythema occurs normally with pouch removal and is self-limited; it shouldn't upon subsequent contact with the allergen. be confused with persistent genic. Treatment is aimed at removing the irritating agent and using a different pouching system. Patch testing alternative products can help identify what the patient can tolerate. Refer to dermatology if there are multiple allergies. allergic contact dermatitis. Repetitive removal of a pouch- Presenting clinical features Treatment varies and includes ing system can precipitate the include a localized prolifera- appearance of psoriasis in peristomal skin." Its cause remains unknown but is tion of the epidermis, with topical corticosteroids to treat the immune response, coal tar believed to have a genetic component. discrete erythematous papules and plaque covered by silvery white scales, adjacent to the stoma; interferes with a secure preparations to reduce proliferation of epidermal cells, pouching system. Symptoms can intensify in the immuno- photosensitizing antimitotic drugs to reduce epidermal-cell replication, or medications coupled with ultraviolet light. May necessitate use of a non- suppressed. adherent pouching system to facilitate the use of topical medications or skin barriers. Apply pressure, use hemostatic agents (such as silver nitrate), In patients with portal hyper- Disease involving the liver can tension, pressure at the portal cause high venous pressure in systemic shunt in the muco- the hepatic mesentery, causing blood to back up into veins or both. Cautery or surgical around the peri stomal skinw. This produces a bluish-purple discoloration in the skin and Remove pouch corefully. Avoid skin barriers with an aggressive seal. If stoma is relocated, distended superficial veins. Profuse bleeding can occur. varices will eventually recur around the new stoma unless cutaneous junction increases, creating venous engorgement. Ii 11 ligation may be necessary. underlying liver disease is treated. Pyoderma gangrenosum A rare, chronic inflammatory disease process thought to be caused by an altered immune responseu The condition is associated with inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative Characterized by welldemarcated red ulcerations with irregular purplish margins Management involves systemic treatment of underlying disease, including the use of and purulent-to-sanguineous drainage. Patients may systemic and topical corticosteroids, sulfonamides, or describe the pain associated immunomodulators. Nursing care of the ulcers starts with with this condition as exquisite. colitis, and arthritis, leukemia, pain management and main- polycythemia vera, and multi- taining a moist wound environment. A reliable pouch seal is ple myeloma. crucial to prevent effluent from leaking into the ulcers. 46 AJN 'I' February 2010 'I' Vol. 110, No. 2 ainonline.com er h Ire ,uch Hrize dric ! more 1 pouch ,be in hould nan- d, oid :t the ,d uds ,allerdot "ent uching !rno- lentily ,rate. here ludes treat lal tar ,rolifer- :e 1/ or 'ions ight. I nonm to 01 iers. ,astatic rate), ical ry. Avoid Jrescated, cur nless is 'stemic e of tico'r 5ing vith nain~ nviron- eal is t from nline.com can arise from improper use or amount of convexity (the use of a barrier ring that's rounded toward the abdomen [convex], in order to provide support to the stoma, preventing it from lying flush with the skin or retracting); convexity is also used "when deep or uneven topography is evident in the peristomal area" or "when stoma shape and size are variable" (or when both occur).17 A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO CARE A holistic approach, by definition, considers the patient as a whole system. Wound, ostomy, and continence nurses take a holistic view of the patient when determining the best approach to wound management. The PET model of ostomy care, created by and named for one of us (PET), involves four elements: assessment of the patient's intrinsic environment, assessment of the patient's extrinsic environment, topical wound care, and a complete plan of care based on all of these factors. Assessment of the intrinsic environment. Intrinsic in this context means originating within the body. Nurses must make a careful accounting of factors within the patient, such as comorbid conditions, that can affect healing. For example, uncontrolled diabetes can lead to peripheral vascular disease, coronary artery disease, and even tissue ischemia. And lower-extremity venous insufficiency interferes with the return of venous blood to the heart, which can lead to pooling of blood in the ankle and calf area of the affected leg. Skin damage can have many possible causes. Radiation, for example, is a conventional treatment for some types of cancer, but it can also damage skin cells in the adjacent area. That damage can extend deep into the cells' nuclei and reach DNA, changing the cells' physiology and leading to the loss of sebaceous glands, a loss of elasticity with atrophy, and discoloration.9, 15,18 Bacterial, fungal, and viral organisms can overcome the body's immune system and manifest as skin complications (a fungal rash within skin folds, for instance) or impair the wound-healing process. The important part in this phase of assessment is to recognize when an infection is present and to treat it according to organism type. Skin and wounds require adequate perfusion and nutrition for normal physiologic maintenance and tissue repair. Wounds complicated by perfusion problems can become devitalized and develop nonviable or necrotic tissue. Patients who have poor nutritional reserves are likely to have delayed healing times. A patient with delayed wound healing must be assessed for adequate perfusion and nutritional stores. Another intrinsic factor to consider is the medications the patient is taking. Antiinflammatory agents ain@wo/terskluwer.com The Cleveland Clinic Stoma Registry A snapshot of stoma care and complications. The registry with was ostomies established in 1998 to at gather prospective datastoma on patients receiving care the Cleveland Clinic's main campus hospital and ambulatory care clinic. When registered patients return to the hospital or ambulatory care clinic, an ostomy- or surgical-event form is completed. This indicates an interaction with the wound, ostomy, and continence nurse (formerly known as the enterostomal therapy nurse), the surgeon, or both. As of April 2009 the registry had 10,643 enrolled patients, and since 1998, 21,406 ostomy-event forms and 8,768 surgical-event forms had been entered into the registry. The majority (62%) of patients in the registry had an ileostomy. Of those, more than half were of the temporary loop variety, constructed to provide proximal diversion to protect a distal anastomosis, primarily an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPM). {Although some centers only use temporary loop ileostomy in patients at high risk for anastomotic leak, other centers use more-specifically defined criteria to determine the appropriateness of a one-step IPM. Patients who are on immunosuppressive therapy, are diabetic, have aging sphincters, or are morbidly obese have a higher risk of postoperative complications, which may preclude them from receiving a one-step IPM.'9,20 Two percent of the procedures were loop-end ileostomies; unlike a loop ileostomy, which leads to the distal part of the intestine, a loopend ileostomy ends up at a blind end. Among procedures in the registry, end descending colostomies constituted 13%; end or loop-end urinary conduits, 9%; and continent ileostomies, loop transverse colostomies, and end sigmoid colostomies approximately 2%. A variety of other stoma types made Lip the remainder. Frequency of peristomal skin complications. The most common type of peristomal skin complication listed in the Cleveland Clinic registry, accounting for 26% of ostomy visits, was irritant dermatitis resulting from chemical destruction of the skin from effluent. Other skin complications, appearing at lower rates (4% to 6% of visits), include pseudoverrucous lesions, candidiasis, allergic contact dermatitis, mechanical trauma, and folliculitis. Stoma complications encountered and documented, also infrequently, include peristomal ulcers, parastomal hernias, mucocutaneous separations, and stoma retractions. and chemotherapeutic agents in particular can interfere with tissue repair because they have an effect on the wound-healing cascade.lO, 11,13 Finally, nurses must consider the impact of aging and the effects of stress. As part of the normal aging process, the immune system's protective ability starts to diminish. Skin repair is slowed, and there's a greater risk of chronic illness. As the nurse develops a plan of care to manage the wound, optimizing all internal factors will provide the best chance for successful healing. Assessment of the extrinsic environment. Extrinsic in this context means outside factors that have an effect on the whole. One person may be affected by many extrinsic factors, but these will affect each AJN'" February 2010 .., Vol ] 10, No 2 47 person differently. The wound, ostomy, and continence nurse needs to consider outside factors that are significant to the patient's situation. Environmental factors are a priority-management issue. For example, what are the environmental considerations if the patient has a pressure ulcer? • Do the patient's pouching system and accessory products fall within Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services guidelines for ostomy supplies? If not, why? ' • What support surface will offer the optimal pressure redistribution and be covered by the payer? • What if the patient has no insurance? • How can we offer the patient safe and effective care while working within organizational policies, predetermined insurance coverage, and the 'patient's own concerns? To answer these questions, one must take a carefullook at the individual patient and make sure to include the appropriate interdisciplinary team members in the care-planning process. Functional deficits are also an important consideration. Say the patient has both pressure ulcers and ambulatory problems. Treatment will require more than simply adding a support surface to the bed. Think about how activities of daily living, such as transferring, affect the wound. • Does the patient require a seating device in addition to a specialized bed? • How will transfers from one department or facility to another be accomplished? • What type of repositioning schedule will meet the needs of the patient and be realistic for the caregivers? Topical wound care. The selection of a specific wound treatment can be daunting if the nurse's assessment is incomplete. Treatment isn't based merely on the depth of tissue injury; rather, it's based on • a sound understanding of how wounds heal. • how different categories of wound-care products work. • a thorough' assessment of the wound. • management of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Simply put, the dressing is selected in the context of creating the optimal environment for healing. Plan of care. The nursing process involves assessment, planning, implementation, documentation, evaluation, and reassessment. Its goal is to alleviate, minimize, or prevent actual or possible problems. And it can be applied in any interaction that involves a nurse and a patient and in a variety of settings, including a hospital, the community, a private home, or a long-term care facility. T Paula Erwin-Toth is the director, and Linda]. Stricker is the assistant director, of wound, ostomy, and continence nursing education at the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH. Lia van Rijswijk is a lecturer at Holy Family University School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions and an adjunct assistant I I~I ~ j•. 48 AJN" February 2010 " Vol. 110, No.2 professor at La Salle University School of Nursing and Health Sciences, both in Philadelphia, the clinical editor of Ostomy Wound Management, and the coordinator of Wound Wise: lvanrijswijk@holyfamily.edu. Contact author: Paula Erwin- Toth, erwinp@ccforg. REFERENCES 1. Pittman], et al. Should WOC nurses measure health-related quality of life in patients undergoing intestinal ostomy surgery? J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs 2009;36(3): 254-65. 2. Pittman], et al. Demographic and clinical factors related to ostomy complications and quality of life in veterans with an ostomy. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs 2008;35(5): . 493-503. 3. Marquis P, et al. Quality of life in patients with stomas: the Montreux Study. Ostomy Wound Manage 2003;49(2): 48-55. 4. Gooszen AW, et al. Quality of life with a temporary stoma: ileostomy vs. colostomy. Dis Colon Rectum 2000;43(5): 650-5. 5. Herlufsen P, et al. Study of peristomal skin disorders in patients with permanent stomas. Br J Nurs 2006;15(16): 854-62. 6. Hoeflok], et al. A prospective multicenter evaluation of a moldable stoma skin barrier. Ostomy Wound Manage 2009;55(5):62-9. 7. Turnbull GB. A one- or two-piece pouching system? Ostomy Wound Manage 2002;48(11):16-8. 8. Turnbull GB. Decision for selection: a logical approach to pouching system selection. Ostomy Wound Manage 2005; 51(2):16-8. 9. Ratliff CR, Donovan AM. Frequency of peristomal complications. Ostomy Wound Manage 2001;47(8):26-9. 10. Rolstad BS, Erwin-Toth PL. Peristomal skin complications: prevention and management. Ostomy Wound Manage 2004;50(9):68-77. 11. Colwell J. Stomal and peristomal skin complications. In: Colwell], et aI., editors. Fecal and urinary diversions: management principles. St. Louis: Mosby; 2004. p. 308-25. 12. Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario. Ostomy care and management. Toronto; 2009 Aug. Clinical best practice guidelines; http://www.rnao.orgiStorage/59/539 3_ Ostomy_ CarcManagement. pdf. 13. Barr ]E. Assessment and management of stomal complications: a framework for clinical decision making. Ostomy Wound Manage 2004;50(9):54-6. 14. Gray M, Catanzaro J. What interventions are effective for managing peristomal pyoderma gangrenosum? J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs 2004;31(5):249-55. 15. Turnbull GB, Erwin-Toth P. Ostomy care: foundation for teaching and practice. Ostomy Wound Manage 1999;45 (lA Suppl):23S-30S. 16. Mahmood N, Bradley B. Diagnosis and treatment of peristomal conditions. In: Cataldo PA, MacKeigan ]M, editors. Intestinal stomas: principles, techniques, and management. 2nd ed. New York City: Marcel Dekker; 2004. p. 381-95. 17. Turnbull GB. The convexity controversy. Ostomy Wound Manage 2003;49(1):16-7. 18. Lavery I, Erwin-Toth P. Stoma therapy. In: Cataldo PA, MacKeigan ]M, editors. Intestinal stomas: principles, techniques, and management. 2nd ed. New York City: Marcel Dekker; 2004. p. 65-89. 19. Hocevar B], Remzi F. The ileal pouch anal anastomosis: past, present, and future. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs 2001;28(1):32-6. 20. Kiran RP, Fazio vw. Inflammatory bowel disease: surgical management. In: Colwell], et aI., editors. Fecal and urinary diversions: management principles. St. Louis: Mosby; 2004. p. 80-101. ajnonline.com