Understanding Your Stoma
The word 'stoma' comes from the Greek language and means an 'opening into or out of the body'. It can also mean 'mouth'.
Every year, thousands of people undergo stoma surgery. For some, the surgery is a lifesaving procedure. For others, the surgery is a result of bowel disease, a result of an accident, or done to correct a birth defect.
In recent years, surgical procedures have improved greatly, and many stoma operations are now temporary instead of permanent.
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Colostomy
What is a colostomy?
A colostomy is a surgically created opening in the large bowel. The bowel is brought through the abdominal wall and sutured to the skin.
What does a colostomy look like?
The stoma is red and moist; there are no nerve endings in the stoma, so there is no sensation.
Where is a colostomy positioned?
A colostomy can be formed from almost any part of the large bowel, although the most common colostomy sites are on the sigmoid colon and the transverse colon. The exact position depends on the medical reason for the surgery.
What does a colostomy do?
A colostomy diverts the faecal flow. The output, volume, and consistency vary in each case and depend in part on the location of the stoma within the colon.
What is a colostomy pouch?
A colostomy pouch is a closed pouch that collects the stool from the colon, but a person with a colostomy could also use an open pouch.
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Ileostomy
What is an ileostomy?
An ileostomy is a surgically created opening in the small bowel, known as the 'ileum'.
What does an ileostomy look like?
The stoma is red and moist; there are no nerve endings in the stoma, so there is no sensation.
Where is the ileostomy positioned?
In most cases the surgeon uses part of the terminal ileum (the last section of the small bowel) to form the stoma. The ileum is brought through the abdominal wall, everted (or turned inside out) to form a spout, and sutured to the skin.
What does an ileostomy do?
The ileostomy diverts the faecal flow, and the output/consistence of the flow varies depending on the location of the stoma within the small bowel.
What is an ileostomy pouch?
An ileostomy pouch is a drainable pouch that collects the stool from the small bowel.
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Urostomy
What is a urostomy?
A urostomy is a surgically created diversion of urine. For example, a urostomy may be created when the bladder is removed and the patient needs a new way to store and pass urine.
What does a urostomy look like?
The stoma is red and moist; there are no nerve endings in the stoma, so there is no sensation.
How is a urostomy created?
The surgeon uses a piece of the small bowel to form a new tube through which urine can pass. The ureters are attached to one end of the tube, and the other end is brought through an opening in the abdominal wall.
What does a urostomy do?
The urostomy is used for the elimination of urine from the body.
What is a urostomy pouch?
A urostomy pouch collects urine from the urostomy on an ongoing basis.
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