An ileostomy is the incision of the small intestine or a part of the small intestine, called the ileum. As a result of ileostomy surgery, doctors create an opening on the outside of the belly wall, called a stoma. This has created for the collection of solid excretion of the body and gas. Moreover, the stoma or an artificial opening needs some appliances for the collection and care of the stoma. The ostomy bag or pouch controls the leakage, gas, odor, and collets the waste matter of the body.
The ileostomy stoma has created after the incision of the
small intestine, which connects to the opening in the abdomen. The small
intestine is a path between the stomach and the large intestine. It absorbs the
nutrients, proteins, fats, minerals, and carbohydrates from the food. The small
intestine takes minced food from the stomach and after the absorption of the
mentioned nutrients into the blood vessels, the undigested or waste food sends
to the large intestine. It is the combination of the colon and rectum. However,
the remaining job of the absorption of water and excretion of waste has done by
colon, rectum, or large intestine.
Why you Need an Ileostomy Surgery?
Ileostomy surgery needs several circumstances and reasons to be performed. Surgeons perform the ileostomy to remove a small part of the ileum (a part of the small intestine) or bypass it to the outside of the abdomen (stoma). However, a person may need the ileostomy surgery when:
- Ileum or a part of the large intestine gets blocked or damaged.
- A part of the ileum or small intestine removed due to any severe infection or disease.
- There is an abdominal infection, injury, or rupture in any part of the intestine whether it is ileum, colon, or rectum.
- Patients have cancer, such as colorectal cancer.
- Ileum cannot perform the function appropriately.
- A person has Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis, or Familia adenomatous polyposis.
- A woman has ovarian cancer.
When
do you Need Temporary Colostomy and Permanent Ileostomy?
When a patient has cancer-related diseases, then he/she
needs the ileostomy surgery temporarily. After the recovery or healing of the
ileum, colon, rectum, the patient goes back to the natural process and path of
the excretion. However, in the severe injuries or permanent dis functioning of
the small or large intestine, a patient needs a permanent ileostomy surgery.
Types
of the Ileostomy Surgery
The following are the types of ileostomy:
- Standard ileostomy.
- Continent ileostomy.
- Ileo-anal reservoir.
Recovery
from the Ileostomy
The recovery or healing needs some time. Doctors do not
discharge you right after the surgery. You will be in hospital for one or two
weeks. However, after the healing of the cuts and stitches, they will send you
back to the home. But, the stoma will take some time for healing and recovery.
Moreover, you will take some months to get used to a new life. A patient can
take three to four months for a full recovery. But, it has involved some pains
and risks. These are:
- Internal bleeding.
- Bleeding from the stoma.
- Damage nearby the small intestine or large intestine.
- Stomal infection.
- Rupture of the internal tissues.
Ileostomy
Care
Just like the colostomy, you have to take care of the
stoma and its appliances. The first thing, you have to clean and care about is
the ostomy bag or pouch. When it gets half full or you feel leakage, empty it,
and wash it. Moreover, if you are using a disposable stoma container, then
dispose it off and wear the new one.
Stoma
and Peristomal Care
Apart from the appliances and internal organs, a patient
has to take care of the skin around the skin. Due to the bleeding or leakage of
the waste, the skin starts redness and itching. Therefore, clean the peristomal
skin and stoma to get rid of such issues.
