Outcome of peristomal skin management by long-term use of skin barrier.

Abstract

Peristomal skin status was retrospectively evaluated in group of patients who routinely used skin barriers as a part of their pouching system. Three hundred forty-four photographs were obtained for 113 patients who used skin-barrier products continuously for periods ranging from 1 to 10 years. Changes in the peristomal skin were evaluated according to severity and three qualitative characteristics: inflammatory changes, pigmentary alterations, and macroscopic evidence of relief from the chronic effects of skin barrier. Of the 344 photographs reviewed, only 7.4% were free from any skin change. The incidence of inflammatory change peaked at 38% before 3 months and varied from 5% to 20% after this riod. The incidence of pigmentary change was 86% at 9 months after operation and 85% to 95% during later periods. Macroscopic evidence of skin relief was observed in 75% to 95% of the photographs across time. This investigation demonstrates that peristomal skin changes among patients who use skin barriers as a routine part of the pouching procedure are dynamic and complex. These products exhibit both skin-protective and skin-irritating properties.