Before Ostomy Surgery
A stoma is a surgically made opening in the abdomen that allows feces or urine to pass through the intestines or urinary tract. This can be a result of the removal of cancer, treatment of Crohn's disease or diverticulitis, or could be the result of a traumatic injury.
There are three main types of stomas: colostomy, ileostomy, and urostomy.
Colostomy
In colostomy surgery, part of your colon, or large intestine, is brought to the surface and through your abdomen to form a stoma.
Ileostomy
In an ileostomy surgery, your small intestine (ileum) is the part of your digestive tract that is affected. This surgery consists of your ileum being brought to the surface of your abdomen to form a stoma.
Urostomy
A urostomy consists of a surgical opening in the abdomen that will re-direct urine away from the bladder, to the stoma, and out of the body.