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Ileostomy
Enterostomy
An ileostomy is used to move waste out of the body. This surgery is done when the colon or rectum is not working properly.
The word "ileostomy" comes from the words "ileum" and "stoma." Your ileum is the lowest part of your small intestine. "Stoma" means "opening." To make an ileostomy the surgeon makes an opening in your belly wall, brings the end of the ileum through the opening. The ileum is then attached to the skin.
Description
Before you have surgery to create an ileostomy, you may have surgery to remove all of your colon and rectum, or just part of your small intestine.
These surgeries include:
-
Small bowel resection
Small bowel resection
Small bowel resection is surgery to remove part or all of your small bowel. It is done when part of your small bowel is blocked or diseased. The sma...
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Total abdominal colectomy
Total abdominal colectomy
Total abdominal colectomy is the removal of the large intestine from the lowest part of the small intestine (ileum) to the rectum. After it is remov...
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Total proctocolectomy with ileostomy
Total proctocolectomy with ileostomy
Total proctocolectomy with ileostomy is surgery to remove all of the colon (large intestine) and rectum.
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An ileostomy may be used for a short or long time.
When your ileostomy is temporary, it most often means all of your large intestine was removed. However, you still have at least part of your rectum. If you have surgery on part of your large intestine, your health care provider may want the rest of your intestine to rest for a while. You will use the ileostomy while you recover from this surgery. When you do not need it anymore, you will have another surgery. This surgery will be done to reattach the ends of the small intestine. You will no longer need the ileostomy after this.
You will need to use it long-term if all of your large intestine and rectum have been removed.
Large intestine
Large bowel resection is surgery to remove all or part of your large bowel. This surgery is also called colectomy. The large bowel is also called t...
To create the ileostomy, the surgeon makes a small surgical cut in the wall of your belly. Part of your small intestine that is farthest from your stomach is brought up and used to make an opening. This is called a stoma. When you look at your stoma, you are actually looking at the lining of your intestine. It looks a lot like the inside of your cheek.
Sometimes, an ileostomy is done as the first step in forming an ileal anal reservoir (called a J-pouch).
Ileal anal reservoir
Total proctocolectomy and ileal-anal pouch surgery is the removal of the large intestine and most of the rectum. The surgery is done in one or two s...
Why the Procedure Is Performed
Ileostomy is done when problems with your large intestine can only be treated with surgery.
There are many problems that may lead to the need for this surgery. Some are:
-
Inflammatory bowel disease (
ulcerative colitis
or
Crohn disease
). This is the most common reason for this surgery.
Ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a condition in which the lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum become inflamed. It is a form of inflammatory bowel ...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleCrohn disease
Crohn disease is a disease where parts of the digestive tract become inflamed. It most often involves the lower end of the small intestine and the be...
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Colon or rectal cancer
Colon or rectal cancer
Colon, or colorectal cancer, is cancer that starts in the large intestine (colon) or the rectum (end of the colon). Other types of cancer can affect ...
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Familial polyposis
Familial polyposis
A colorectal polyp is a growth on the lining of the colon or rectum.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Birth defects that involve your intestines
- An accident that damages your intestines or another intestinal emergency
Risks
Talk with your provider about these possible risks and complications.
Risks of anesthesia and surgery in general are:
- Reactions to medicines
-
Breathing problems
Breathing problems
Breathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathingUncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough air
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Bleeding,
blood clots
Blood clots
A pulmonary embolus is a blockage of an artery in the lungs. The most common cause of the blockage is a blood clot.
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Risks for this surgery are:
- Bleeding inside your belly
- Damage to nearby organs
-
Dehydration
(not having enough fluid in your body) if there is a lot of watery drainage from your ileostomy
Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it should. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on how muc...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Difficulty absorbing needed nutrients from food
- Infection, including in the lungs, urinary tract, or belly
- Poor healing of the wound in your perineum (if your rectum was removed)
- Scar tissue in your belly that causes a blockage of the small intestine
- Wound breaks open
Before the Procedure
Always tell your provider what drugs you are taking, even drugs, supplements, or herbs you bought without a prescription.
Before your surgery, talk with your provider about the following things:
- Intimacy and sexuality
- Pregnancy
- S ports
- Work
During the 2 weeks before your surgery:
- Two weeks before surgery you may be asked to stop taking drugs that make it harder for your blood to clot. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Naprosyn (Aleve, Naproxen), and others.
- Ask your provider which drugs you should still take on the day of your surgery.
-
If you smoke, try to
stop
. Ask your provider for help.
Stop
There are many ways to quit smoking. There are also resources to help you. Family members, friends, and co-workers may be supportive. But to be su...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Always let your provider know about any cold, flu, fever, herpes breakout, or other illness you may have before your surgery.
- Eat high fiber foods and drink 6 to 8 glasses of water every day.
The day before your surgery:
- You may be asked to drink only clear liquids such as broth, clear juice, and water after some point.
- Your provider will tell you when to stop eating and drinking.
- Your provider may ask you to use enemas or laxatives to clear out your intestines.
On the day of your surgery:
- Take the drugs you were told to take with a small sip of water.
- You will be told when to arrive at the hospital.
After the Procedure
You will be in the hospital for 3 to 7 days. You may have to stay longer if your ileostomy was an emergency operation.
You may be able to suck on ice chips on the same day as your surgery to ease your thirst. By the next day, you will probably be allowed to drink clear liquids. You will slowly add thicker fluids and then soft foods to your diet as your bowels begin to work again. You may be eating again 2 days after your surgery.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Most people who have an ileostomy are able to do most of the activities they were doing before their surgery. This includes most sports, travel, gardening, hiking, and other outdoor activities, and most types of work.
If you have a chronic condition, such as Crohn disease or ulcerative colitis, you may need ongoing medical treatment.
References
Araghizadeh F. Ileostomy, colostomy, and pouches. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease . 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 117.
Mahmoud NN, Bleier JIS, Aarons CB, Paulson EC, Shanmugan S, Fry RD. Colon and rectum. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery . 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 51.
Review Date: 9/17/2016
Reviewed By: Debra G. Wechter, MD, FACS, general surgery practice specializing in breast cancer, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
