What is an ileostomy?

What is an ileostomy?

An ileostomy is a surgically created opening from your small bowel to the surface of your abdomen. This provides a new path for waste material to leave your body after part of the bowel has been removed.

It can produce output varying from liquid stool to a thick, porridge-like consistency.

Info: An ileostomy is usually on the right-hand side of your body, but in some circumstances may be formed on the left-hand side.
 

What are the different types of ileostomy?

You will either have an end ileostomy or a loop ileostomy.

What is an end ileostomy?

An end ileostomy is formed when all or part of the large bowel and/or the rectum are removed. Part of the small bowel is brought out to the surface of the abdomen to create a stoma. 

An end ileostomy can be temporary or permanent.

End ileostomy diagram:

  Large bowel (colon)

  Ileostomy

  Rectum

  Anus

What happens if a temporary end ileostomy is created?

If a temporary end ileostomy is created, a diseased section of large bowel is removed, but the remaining bowel cannot be re-joined at the same time as it is unsafe or inappropriate for your surgeon to do this at this time.

However, it may be possible to re-join your small bowel in the future, and this can be discussed with your surgeon.

What is a loop ileostomy?

A loop ileostomy is usually created to protect a surgical join in the large bowel or to divert the flow of stool from an obstruction. It is formed when a loop of the small bowel is brought to the surface of the abdomen and opened to form a stoma. This can be temporary or permanent.

A loop ileostomy can also be formed to protect the join following reconstruction surgery, such as an Ileo-anal pouch. A loop ileostomy has two openings; only one of these will pass stool, the other may produce mucus.

Loop ileostomy diagram:

•   Large bowel
•   Ileostomy
•   Rectum
•   Anus

Why am I having an ileostomy?

Your ileostomy operation may need to be performed for a variety of reasons and your Surgeon and Specialist Nurse will explain these to you.

There are a number of different diseases and conditions that can result in the need for an Ileostomy, such as:

• Ulcerative Colitis
• Crohn’s Disease
• Diverticular Disease
• Faecal incontinence
• Cancer
• Trauma
• Familial Adenomatous Polyposis
• Radiation damage
• Congenital abnormalities

What will my ileostomy look and feel like?

Your ileostomy should protrude from your abdomen, like a spout, and this can vary depending on how it is formed by your surgeon. It will be soft to touch, pinkish-red in colour and moist; rather like the inside of your mouth.

There is no sensation in the stoma, so it is not painful. However, it has a rich blood supply and it is normal for it to bleed a little from time to time, especially when cleaning.

Your ileostomy is likely to be swollen at first and will take a few weeks to reduce in size.

There will be small stitches around the edge of your ileostomy, which will either be dissolvable or your Stoma Care Nurse will remove them 1-2 weeks after your operation.