Postoperative Weight Loss as a Predictor of Stoma-Related Complications

OBJECTIVE: In this study, the authors investigated the percentage of weight change within 1 month after stoma surgery and examined its association with stoma-related complications (SRCs). METHODS: Data were collected from a prospective research database of patients who underwent stoma surgery at a medical center in eastern Taiwan between January 2014 and December 2016. The patients’ demographic characteristics and body weight were recorded preoperatively and 1 month postoperatively. RESULTS: A total of 113 patients were included, of whom 75.2% were male, with a mean age of 60.5 years. At 1 month postoperatively, the mean body weight decreased from 62.6 kg to 59.1 kg (mean loss: 5.34%). Of these, 50 patients (44%) experienced ≥5% weight loss. In multivariable logistic regression, female sex (adjusted OR=3.01, 95% CI: 1.14-8.00, P =.027) and ≥5% postoperative weight loss (adjusted OR=4.40, 95% CI: 1.80-10.60, P =.001) were significant predictors of complications. Patients with complications had significantly greater weight loss than those without (8.8% vs. 3.4%, P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: A weight loss of ≥5% within 1 month after stoma surgery is a risk factor for SRCs. Weight should be monitored in patients undergoing stoma surgery.