What exactly are an ileostomy & a colostomy?
A surgeon cuts across the lower small intestine (ileum) and brings the cut end to the outside of the body through a hole in the front of the abdominal wall. The end is sewn to the skin. A bag – called an appliance – is then fitted around the hole to collect the body’s waste material. The cut end of the intestine protruding out of the hole in the abdominal wall is called an ileostomy (ileum + stoma [=Greek for mouth] – hence, hole or opening). A colostomy is the same, except that the cut end is in the colon, or large intestine, instead of the ileum. Ileostomies and colostomies may be either temporary or permanent, depending upon the particular situation.
