Rationale: Individuals with a stoma report more psychological distress than do non-stoma patients.1 Common concerns about leakage, soiling, stoma or peristomal skin problems have been reported by those with a colostomy or an ileostomy.2 Objective: This literature review summarizes the nature, duration, incidence and techniques to resolve early and late complications among individuals with a colostomy or an ileostomy. Methods: Evidence was compiled from a MEDLINE literature search of complications in patients with an ileostomy or a colostomy. Type, incidence, prevalence, duration and ways to resolve each complication were tabulated. Results: Early complications included leakage, odor, soiling, peristomal dermatitis or skin excoriation, mechanical injury to the stoma and the need to empty the collection device during the night.2,3 These often resulted from stoma size or position changes as postoperative edema declined or as the abdomen enlarged with weight gain.3 Contrary to popular belief, many such complications do not decrease in incidence over time and may become more difficult to manage with increasing age or decreasing dexterity.2 Late complications are more common in elderly patients and those without preoperative stoma planning.4 These may require surgical management.4 Early and late complications can be prevented or resolved with more intensive patient instruction, improved ostomy appliance sealing methods to accommodate irregular or changing ostomy shapes or appliances requiring minimal manual dexterity to apply. Conclusions: Intensive instruction in stoma management and easy-to-use, adaptable sealing materials for ileostomy and colostomy appliances may address early and late complications and resulting concerns of ileostomy and colostomy patients.