How can we deal with stoma supplies in a resource-limited setting? The Golbasi earthquake experience

TL;DR

This paper describes a low-cost homemade solution for ostomy care in resource-limited settings following a major earthquake.

Contribution

The paper introduces a practical, homemade stoma supply solution for use in extreme resource-limited conditions.

Findings

A homemade stoma supply using an IV bag and transparent film dressings was successfully used for three postoperative days.

The homemade solution prevented leaks and skin irritation in a patient requiring ostomy care after an earthquake.

The solution is low-cost and can be used until definitive ostomy supplies are available.

Abstract

In winter 2023, two earthquakes struck southern and central Turkey, resulting in an estimated 56.000 deaths and more than 100.000 persons with injuries. The management of patients presenting post-earthquake injuries and the usual surgical emergencies was highly challenging in these extremes' conditions. This report presents a home-made temporary solution for ostomy care and supplies in a resource-limited setting.

A 72-year-old woman, admitted 9 days after the earthquake, presented with a transverse colonic incarceration in a Morgagni-Larrey parasternal diaphragmatic hernia, associated with Hinchey III peritonitis. Extended right colectomy was performed with right ileostomy and left colostomy. A home-made ostomy was designed using as supplies an empty intravenous perfusion bag and transparent film dressings. This cheap, homemade and ready-to-use stoma supply was used during the first 3 postoperative days, without any leak or peri-ostomy skin irritation.

In extreme perioperative condition, in a resource-limited setting, ostomy can be temporary equip using a homemade and ready-to-use stoma supply. This equipment is feasible at a low cost in all condition and fit until definitive ostomy supplies can be provided.

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