Interventions to reduce dehydration related to defunctioning loop ileostomy after low anterior resection in rectal cancer: a prospective cohort study

Background Defunctioning loop ileostomy (DLI) in low anterior resection (LAR) in rectal cancer patients reduces the morbidity of anastomotic leakages. In our previous study, 30% of patients developed dehydration due to DLI, mostly during the first 6 weeks. This interventional study aimed to reduce these figures by establishing a surveillance programme. Methods An interventional study of rectal cancer patients undergoing LAR and DLI between 2013 and 2015 was carried out. A historical study group was used as control. Stoma care nurses educated the intervention group about high-output stoma. Blood tests, including creatinine and electrolytes, were taken every second week until 8 weeks post-operatively and an additional control in case of subjective high-output stoma. Results Eighty-seven patients underwent LAR and DLI during the study period. Twenty-one (24%) developed dehydration episodes, and nine (43%) of them required readmission. There was no difference compared to the control group, where 29% developed dehydration, and about half (52%) needed readmission (P= 0.62 andP= 0.57, respectively). However, when explicitly examining patients demonstrating symptomatic dehydration, there was a significant difference, that is 10 (11%) versus 27 (29%) (P < 0.005). Overall, the dehydrated group was older and more likely to take diuretics compared to the non-dehydrated group. Conclusion Our results indicate that reducing dehydration episodes and readmission after DLI is a challenging process. The proposed surveillance was only effective in preventing symptomatic dehydration. Subjects taking diuretics and the elderly are at risk of dehydration and should be followed cautiously.