An ostomy is a surgically created opening that allows the passage of waste products such as urine or feces. When the ostomy is pulled out of the body, and protrudes out of the abdomen, it is called a stoma. A special bag is attached to the skin around the stoma with adhesives, to collect waste materials from the body. An ostomy is done for health reasons.
Types
The types of ostomies that can be surgically constructed are colostomies, ileostomies and urostomies. A colostomy is an ostomy created by diverting one end of the large intestine to the exterior of the abdomen. An ileostomy is made the same way a colostomy is done except that the small intestine is used instead. A colostomy and an ileostomy both allow stool to be evacuated from the body. Urostomies, on the other hand, permit the flow of urine out of the body.
A urostomy is created by separating the ureters--tubes that drain urine from the kidneys to the bladder--from the bladder and connecting them to the abdomen via two separate abdominal apertures. In this type of urostomy, portions of the ureters stick out of the abdomen to form stomas. Another way a urostomy is created is by obtaining a piece of small intestine and attaching it to the two ureters. Then, one end of the small intestine is brought out of the abdomen through a hole created by the surgeon. In this type of urostomy, the stoma is formed with the small intestine.
Why Is It Done?
The American Cancer Society suggests that a urostomy is done when the bladder doesn't work properly or if it is diseased. Bladder cancer, birth defects of the bladder and neurological dysfunction in the bladder are reasons why a urostomy may be created. Temporary colostomies are done to give the intestines time to heal by giving them a break from stool disposal. Permanent colostomies may be done to treat diseases that require removal of the large intestines. Colostomies may be used to treat diseases such as diverticulitis and bowel obstruction.
Ostomy Supplies
A patient who has an ostomy will need a stoma bag for stool collection, a wafer which is attached to the skin around the stoma and adhesives. The adhesive is used to attach the wafer to the skin while the bag is then connected to the wafer. One piece stoma bags come with all of these components and are attached directly to the skin.
Complications
Ostomy surgery is associated with some complications. Skin irritation may occur due to leakage of body waste products on to the skin. The stoma may also fall back into the skin or increase in length when additional parts of the ostomy come out of the body. A hernia, skin infection and stoma ischemia are ostomy complications that could also occur.
Concerns
Patients who need to have ostomies done may be apprehensive about it. This is because they may be concerned about how having an ostomy will affect their sex lives, lifestyle, careers, body image and self esteem. An ostomy nurse helps patients deal with such problems before and after ostomy surgery.
References
- United Ostomy Associations of America: What is an Ostomy?
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Bowel Diversion Surgeries: Ileostomy, Colostomy, Ileoanal Reservoir, and Continent Ileostomy
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Urostomy and Continent Urinary Diversion
- American Cancer Society: Urostomy
