Introduction

Article Outline

• Copyright

This issue of Seminars in Colon and Rectal Surgery covers a broad range of topics dealing with intestinal ostomy surgery with contributions from an international group of experts. The subject of ileostomy is covered by Guillaume Meurette, Thomas Piffeteau, and Paul-Antoine Lehur from the Department of Digestive and Endocrine Surgery of the University Hospital of Nantes, France. Construction of ileostomy and colostomy by laparoscopic methods is described by Thomas Garofalo of the Department of Colorectal Surgery of the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio. Jette Kundal from the University Hospital of Odense and Claus Bøgebjerg from the Coloplast Company in Denmark provide a broad overview of the techniques and equipment employed in enterostomal therapy. Kristian Juul of Santaris Pharma, Hørsholm, Denmark and Luis Prieto of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK provide us with insights into the quality of life of our patients with intestinal stomas. The continent ileostomy is reviewed by Peter Andersson and Rune Sjödahl of the University Hospital at Linkoping, Sweden. Complications related to ileostomy are discussed by Paolo Delrio and Giovanni Conzo of the Instituto Nazionale dei Tumori and Seconda Universitá degli Studi di Napoli, in Naples, Italy. Colostomy complications are covered by Alex Mirnezami and Brendan Moran of the Colorectal Research Unit of the North Hampshire Hospital, Basingstoke, UK. Complications of the peristomal skin are described by Søren Meisner and Lis Balleby of the Bispebjerg University Hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark.

I hope that the readers of this issue will enjoy these articles describing the current management of intestinal stomas as much as much as I have. I wish to acknowledge each of these contributors who have selflessly given of themselves to share their expertise. It has been a great pleasure for me to know, to work with, and to learn from each of them.