What is a stoma?
A stoma is an artifical opening out of the body, created to alleviate disease, discomfort or to correct a birth defect. A stoma allows faeces or urine
to exit the body. A stoma uses a portion of the intestine, and is brought through to the surface of the abdomen where the output now exits the
body instead of the usual way.
In recent years, surgical procedures have improved greatly and many stoma operations are now temporary instead of permanent.
Each stoma is unique and chances are that your stoma will look different from someone else's.
Stomas are red in colour and are made up of mucous membrane, just like the inside of the mouth. A stoma will have no sensation, and therefore will not be painful to touch. There may be some bleeding when a stoma is being cleaned, this is normal and won't last very long. If the bleeding does continues you should contact your STN.
Types of Stoma
Colostomy
A colostomy is a surgically created opening into the colon through the abdomen. Its purpose is to allow the stool to bypass a diseased or damaged part of the colon. A colostomy may be made at almost any point along the length of the colon.
It may be temporary or permanent, depending on the medical reason for the surgery.
When you have a colostomy, the stool is no longer passed through the anus. Instead, it is eliminated through the colostomy. To construct a colostomy, your surgeon brings part of the colon through the abdominal wall and sutures it in place.
Because a colostomy does not have a sphincter muscle, you have no voluntary control over bowel movements.
A closed pouch, called a colostomy pouch, is needed to collect the stool. On average, the pouch will need to be changed between one to three times per day.
Ileostomy
An ileostomy is a surgically created opening into the small intestine through the abdomen. The purpose of an ileostomy is to allow the stool to bypass the colon. An ileostomy may be temporary or permanent, depending on the medical reason for the surgery.
Because of disease – such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s Disease – the colon may be surgically removed, along with the rectum and anus. When you have an ileostomy, the stool is no longer eliminated through the anus. Instead, the stool is eliminated through the ileostomy.
An ileostomy does not have a sphincter muscle, so you have no voluntary control over bowel movements.
A drainable pouch, called an ileostomy pouch, is needed to collect the stool. On average, the pouch will need to be drained several times a day.
Urostomy
A urostomy is a surgically created opening on the abdomen. A urostomy is required due to disease or damage to the urinary system that causes an inability to pass urine normally.
A urostomy may also be called a urinary diversion, an ileal conduit or a Bricker bladder.
When a person has a urostomy, urine is no longer eliminated through the urethra. Instead, it is eliminated through the urostomy.
An urostomy does not have a sphincter muscle, so you have no voluntary control over when to urinate.
A special urostomy stoma appliance will receive urine on an on-going basis. On average, the pouch will need to be drained several times a day.
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