A surgically created opening in the abdomen to allow the end of the small bowel to stick out is known as an ileostomy. This newly created opening provides a pathway for digestive wastes to leave the body after the removal of the colon. Generally, an ileostomy is on the right side of the body, but it may also be on the left side in specific circumstances.
The stool passing of an ileostomy can have a consistency varying between liquid and pasty consistency.
Depending on the reason for you to undergo surgery, you can have an end or loop ileostomy.
What is an end ileostomy?
The surgeon will form an end ileostomy after removing or resting your colon. He will bring a part of the small bowel through the abdominal opening to create a stoma. Depending on why you needed to undergo surgery, an ileostomy can be permanent or temporary.
A permanent ileostomy is something you are going to have to live with for the rest of your life, but a temporary end ileostomy is different. The surgeon has to consider several factors to decide when to reverse your ileostomy. The general rule of thumb is that you will have to live with an ileostomy until your bowel recovers fully from the underlying disorder. It may take a few weeks, a few months, or a few years for your bowel to recover.
What is a loop ileostomy?
A loop ileostomy consists of the stoma created on the top of a small bowel’s loop pulled out through an incision in the abdominal wall. The purpose of this ileostomy is generally to allow bodily wastes to leave the body without proceeding to the diseased section of the bowel. The most common reason you may need a loop ileostomy is the bowel obstruction. Although a loop ileostomy is generally temporary, it can be permanent in some cases.
A loop ileostomy has two openings, one of which passes out digestive wastes, while the other one may pass out mucus.
Why might you need an ileostomy?
There can be a variety of reasons for you to require an ileostomy. Your doctor and ostomy care nurse will explain to you the procedure and its impact on lifestyle.
Common reasons for you to need an ileostomy may include the following.
- Diverticulitis
- Ulcerative colitis
- Crohn’s disease
- Bowel incontinence
- Trauma
- Cancer
- Damage due to radiation
- Familial Adenomatous Polyposis
- Congenital abnormalities
The look and feel of a stoma
A stoma has to be a little protruded from the surface of the abdominal skin. Being moist, red or pink, and soft to touch are the most common characteristics of a stoma. The overall appearance of a stoma is similar to that of the inside of the mouth.
Due to no nerve endings in the stoma, you won’t feel anything when you touch or rub it. It, however, contains a lot of blood vessels, due to which the stoma can bleed easily when you rub it. Mild bleeding of the stoma is nothing to worry about, but you will need to do something if there is excessive bleeding.
Taking care of your stoma and the skin around it is an entire subject to cover. As a piece of quick advice, you should take suggestions and recommendations from your doctor or ostomy care nurse to ensure effective ostomy care.
