Creating a Stoma
Where can the stoma be created?
Colostomy (opening in the large intestine)
A colostomy is the most common type of stoma. A colostomy (from the Greek “colon” = large intestine and “stoma” = mouth, opening) refers to the artificial diversion of the large intestine to the skin’s surface.
Ileostomy (small intestine opening)
An ileostomy (from the Latin “ileum” = small intestine and the Greek “stoma” = mouth, opening) is the second most common type of stoma. An ileostomy refers to the diversion of the small intestine to the skin’s surface.
How is a stoma created?
An ileostomy or colostomy can be created as a terminal or a double-barrel stoma.
Terminal stoma: The section of the intestine supplying the stoma is brought out through the abdominal wall; the remaining end is closed off.
Double-outlet stoma: Both the inflow and outflow sections of the intestine are brought out through the abdominal wall.