# 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.

## Key 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.