Ostomy

Summary

An ostomy is surgery to create an opening (stoma) from an area inside the body to the outside. It treats certain diseases of the digestive or urinary systems. It can be permanent, when an organ must be removed. It can be temporary, when the organ needs time to heal. The organ could be the small intestine, colon, rectum, or bladder. With an ostomy, there must be a new way for wastes to leave the body.

There are many different types of ostomy. Some examples are:

• Ileostomy – the bottom of the small intestine (ileum) is attached to the stoma. This bypasses the colon, rectum and anus.
• Colostomy – the colon is attached to the stoma. This bypasses the rectum and the anus.
• Urostomy – the tubes that carry urine to the bladder are attached to the stoma. This bypasses the bladder.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Find an Expert

• American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
• Find a Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse in Your Area Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Patient Handouts

• Changing your ostomy pouch Medical Encyclopedia
• Colostomy Medical Encyclopedia
• Ileostomy Medical Encyclopedia
• Ileostomy – caring for your stoma Medical Encyclopedia
• Ileostomy – changing your pouch Medical Encyclopedia
• Ileostomy – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
• Ileostomy and your diet Medical Encyclopedia
• Urostomy – stoma and skin care Medical Encyclopedia

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Colostomy National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Urinary Diversion National Institutes of Health

Images

• Colostomy – Series — Normal anatomy Medical Encyclopedia

Specifics

• Colostomy Guide American Cancer Society
• Ileostomy Guide American Cancer Society
• Urinary Diversion National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Urostomy Guide American Cancer Society

Children

• For Parents of Children with Ostomies American Cancer Society

Encyclopedia

• Ileostomy – what to ask your doctor Medical Encyclopedia
• Ileostomy and your child Medical Encyclopedia
• Living with your ileostomy Medical Encyclopedia
• Low-fiber diet Medical Encyclopedia
• Total proctocolectomy with ileostomy Medical Encyclopedia
• Types of ileostomy Medical Encyclopedia

Living With

• Living with an Ostomy American Cancer Society
• Ostomy Home Skills Program American College of Surgeons
• Ostomy: Adapting to Life after Colostomy, Ileostomy, or Urostomy Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Start Here

• Ostomy American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
• Ostomy Surgery of the Bowel National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Journal Articles

• Ostomy