Ostomy Network

Ostomy Software | Ostomy Dictionary | Ostomy Articles | Causes for Ostomy Surgery

 

Different types of ostomy are performed depending on how much and what part of the intestines are removed. The surgeries are called ileostomy and colostomy. When the colon and rectum are removed, the surgeon performs an ileostomy to attach the bottom of the small intestine (ileum) to the stoma. When the rectum is removed, the surgeon performs a colostomy to attach the colon to the stoma. A temporary colostomy may be performed when part of the colon has been removed and the rest of it needs to heal.

Ileoanal reservoir surgery is an alternative to a permanent ileostomy. It is usually completed in two surgeries. In the first surgery, the colon and rectum are removed and a pouch or reservoir is constructed from the last 18 inches of the small intestine. This pouch is attached to the anus. In the second surgery, the ileostomy is closed. The muscles surrounding the anus and anal canal are left in place, so the stool in the pouch does not leak out of the anus. People who have this surgery are able to control their bowel movements.

If an ileoanal reservoir is not possible or feasible, a continent ileostomy may be an alternative to using an outside collecting bag. In continent ileostomy, an internal reservoir pouch is created from part of the small intestine. A valve is constructed and a stoma is placed through the abdominal wall. A tube is inserted through the stoma and valve to drain the pouch.

For More Information

International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) Inc.
P.O. Box 170864
Milwaukee, WI 53217
Phone: 1–888–964–2001 or 414–964–1799
Fax: 414–964–7176
Email: iffgd@iffgd.org
Internet: www.iffgd.org

Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America Inc.
386 Park Avenue South, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10016–8804
Phone: 1–800–932–2423 or 212–685–3440
Fax: 212–779–4098
Email: info@ccfa.org
Internet: www.ccfa.org

United Ostomy Association Inc.
19772 MacArthur Boulevard, Suite 200
Irvine, CA 92612–2405
Phone: 1–800–826–0826 or 949–660–8624
Email: info@uoa.org
Internet: www.uoa.org

For information about colostomy for treatment of cancer, contact

Cancer Information Service
National Cancer Institute
Phone: 1–800–4–CANCER (1–800–422–6237)
TTY: 1–800–332–8615
Internet: cancer.gov/cis

Additional Information on Ileostomy, Colostomy, and Ileoanal Reservoir Surgery

The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse collects resource information on digestive diseases for National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Reference Collection. This database provides titles, abstracts, and availability information for health information and health education resources. The NIDDK Reference Collection is a service of the National Institutes of Health.

To provide you with the most up-to-date resources, information specialists at the clearinghouse created an automatic search of the NIDDK Reference Collection. To obtain this information, you may view the results of the automatic search on Ileostomy, Colostomy, and Ileoanal Reservoir Surgery.

If you wish to perform your own search of the database, you may access and search the NIDDK Reference Collection database online.

Learn more about Ostomy Software