What is a stoma?

During colostomy surgery, part of your colon (large intestine) is brought out onto the surface of your abdomen creating an opening called a stoma. A colostomy is usually created on the left-hand side of your abdomen and it can be either temporary or permanent depending on the reason for surgery or the severity of the illness.

Faeces in this part of the intestine are usually a soft formed stool. Because a stoma has no muscle to control defecation, faeces will need to be collected using a pouch.

What is an end colostomy?

The most common kind of colostomy is an end colostomy, where the end of the colon (large intestine) is brought out onto the surface of your abdomen and then stitched to the skin creating an opening called a stoma.

An end colostomy can be either permanent or temporary

A temporary colostomy is typically used in situations where the diseased part of the intestine has either been removed or needs to rest before the large intestine can be re-joined together.

The permanent solution is chosen in situations where it is too risky or not possible to re-join the two parts of the intestine.

What is a loop colostomy?

In a loop colostomy a loop of the bowel is brought out above skin level. An incision is made half way through the large bowel to create two openings. This is then rolled back on itself and sewn onto the skin forming the stoma.

The loop colostomy is typically a temporary measure performed in acute situations. It can also be carried out to protect a surgical join in the bowel.

An ileostomy is created when part of your small intestine called the ileum is brought to the surface of your abdomen to form a stoma. There are many different reasons for an ileostomy to be formed, but typically it will be formed on the right-hand side of your abdomen.

An ileostomy can be either temporary or permanent depending on the reason for surgery or the severity of the illness.

Stools in this part of the intestine are generally a thick fluid and, because a stoma has no muscle to control defecation, faeces will need to be collected in a pouch.

What is an end ileostomy?

The most common ileostomy is an end ileostomy, where the end of the small intestine (ileum) is brought out through a small cut in the abdominal wall, and then stitched to the skin of the stomach creating an opening (ostomy).

An end ileostomy can be either permanent or temporary

A temporary ileostomy is typically used in situations where the diseased part of the bowel has been removed and the remaining part needs to rest before the intestine can be re-joined together.

The permanent solution is chosen in situations where it is too risky or not possible to re-join the two parts of the intestine.

What is loop ileostomy?

In a loop ileostomy a loop of the small bowel is brought out above skin level. An incision is made half way through the bowel to create two openings. This is then rolled back on itself and sewn onto the skin forming the stoma.

The loop ileostomy is typically temporary and performed to protect a surgical join in the intestine or to relieve symptoms. If temporary, it will be closed or reversed in a later operation.

A urostomy involves replacing the bladder function by diverting your urine into a section of the small intestine.

During ostomy surgery, part of the small intestine (ileum) is isolated and brought out onto the surface of your abdomen creating an opening called a stoma.

Because the bladder has been removed there is no reservoir for the storage of urine. The isolated section of the small intestine has no muscle or valve to control urination, so you will need to wear a urostomy pouch to collect the urine.