Ileostomy, Urostomy, Colostomy - What Does This Mean?

Ileostomy - A surgically created opening in the abdomen where the small intestine is brought to the skin's surface to direct stool out of the body, therefore bypassing a diseased or removed section of the colon. Because ileostomies are typically formed from a high end of the colon where the stool is still very liquid, the stool output that is produced is usually very liquid in nature and is constantly releasing into the ostomy device.

Ileal Conduit - is a type of ileostomy that is created after the bladder is removed. A piece of small bowel is used to attach the ureters from the kidneys to the surface of the abdomen, forming a stoma.

Urostomy - or urinary diversion, is a surgically created opening in the abdomen that allows the urine to pass out of the body. The ureters are redirected to the abdomen to release urine, bypassing the bladder, which is normally left in place.

Colostomy - Is a surgically created opening in the abdomen where the large intestine is brought to the surface of the skin to allow stool release, bypassing diseased or removed bowel.

There are four main colostomy types:

Ascending - colostomies are located on the right side of the ascending portion of the abdomen. Output will be liquid to semi liquid. This Output in generally high in digestive enzymes, and irritating to the skin around the stoma.

Transverse - colostomies are located within the transverse portion of the upper colon, middle or right side of abdomen. It is usually liquid to semi formed.

Sigmoid - colostomies are within the sigmoid colon and output is normal, formed stool because the water content has been removed as the stool passed through the remaining bowel.

Descending - colostomies are located within the descending colon and output is semi formed.

The location and type of stoma you have (ileostomy, colostomy or urostomy) will determine the ostomy supplies you need.