Types of stomas
What is a stoma?
The word “stoma” comes from the Greek language and means “hole”. A stoma is a connection of the intestinal or urinary tract with the surface of the body, deliberately created during a surgical operation.
The intestinal stoma, also known as the fistula or abdominal anus, is most often created in the case of intestinal cancer, inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulosis).
The newly created outlet for the intestinal content is called a stoma. It requires a special supply of stoma bags – in a one-piece or two-piece system. The change implemented in the natural structures impairs the body’s ability to store intestinal contents and causes a lack of control over their excretion.
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Types of intestinal stomas
Colostomy
created in the abdominal wall as a consequence of the removal of the rectum or part of the large intestine. The remaining part of the intestine is connected to the front wall of the abdominal cavity and a stoma is created, which is also known as the abdominal anus (fistula). The stoma may be created in the descending or sigmoid colon (positioned on the right side of the patient’s body), in the transverse colon (positioned close to the median line of the patient’s body) or in the ascending colon (positioned on the left side of the patient’s body). The consistency of the stool depends on the stoma location – the greater the distance from the natural anus, the more liquid the consistency of the excreted content.
Ileostomy
performed at the level of the final section of the small intestine by exiting a section of the intestine on the surface of the abdominal wall. It is mostly positioned on the right side of the patient’s body. The intestinal contents have a more liquid consistency and irritate the skin.
Urostomy
This type of stoma is discussed in a separate section of the site dedicated to urostomy.
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