Ostomy Information
Sometimes treating diseases of the digestive or urinary systems involves removing all or part of your small intestine, colon, rectum or bladder. In these cases, there must be a new way for wastes to leave the body. The surgery to create the new opening in the abdomen is called ostomy. The opening is called a stoma.
There are many different types of ostomy. Some examples are:
- Ileostomy: The surgeon removes the colon and rectum and attaches the bottom of the small intestine (ileum) to the stoma.
- Colostomy: The surgeon removes the rectum and attaches the colon to the stoma.
- Urostomy: The surgeon attaches the ureters - the tubes that carry urine to the bladder - to either the small intestine or to the abdominal wall.
Content Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
United Ostomy Association
Association seeks to educate and help those with intestinal or urinary diversions. Get tips and learn about chapters of the organization.- Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America
News updates, weekly features, programs and a list of chapters from this organization seeking to cure Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. - Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society
Discover the scope of conditions treated by nurses in this profession or access news and links.
