Ileostomy

An ileostomy is a stoma that has been constructed by bringing the end of the small intestine (the ileum) out onto the surface of the skin. Intestinal waste passes out of the ileostomy and is collected in an external bag stuck to the skin. Ileostomies are usually sited above the groin on the right hand side of the abdomen.

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Ileostomies are necessary where disease or injury has rendered the large intestine incapable of safely processing intestinal waste, typically because the colon has been wholly removed. Diseases of the large intestine which may require surgical removal include:

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• Crohn's disease
• ulcerative colitis
• Familial adenomatous polyposis

An ileostomy may also be necessary in the treatment of colorectal cancer, for example in cases where the tumor is causing a blockage. In this case the ileostomy may be temporary, as the common surgical procedure for colorectal cancer is to reconnect the remaining sections of colon or rectum following removal of the tumor provided that enough of the rectum remains intact to preserve sphincter function. In a temporary ileostomy, a loop of the small intestine is brought through the skin, and the colon and rectum are not removed.

Ileostomy: Reasons for having an ileostomy ►



 

Stoma: In botany, a stoma (also stomate; plural stomata) is a tiny opening or pore, found mostly on the undersurface of a plant leaf, and used for gas exchange. Air containing carbon dioxide and oxygen enters the plant through these openings where it gets used in photosynthesis and respiration. Waste oxyg...

Ileum: In anatomy of the digestive system, the ileum (not to be confused with the ilium, a pelvic bone), is the final section of the small intestine. It is about 4m long in humans, follows the jejunum and is separated from the cecum by the iliocecal valve (ICV). The pH in the ileum is usually between 7 an...