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Stoma formation (colostomy / ileostomy)
Category: General & Abdominal Surgery · All general & abdominal surgery
What it is
A stoma is an opening made during surgery that brings a section of bowel onto the skin of the abdomen, where waste passes into a fitted bag. A colostomy uses the large bowel; an ileostomy uses the small bowel. Stomas may be temporary or permanent.
Why it is done
Stomas are created during surgery for bowel cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, blockage, bowel injury or to protect a join downstream while it heals.
How to prepare
Before planned surgery, a stoma nurse marks the best site on your abdomen and teaches you about appliance care. Emergency stomas are sited by the surgeon during the operation. You fast before surgery as usual.
What happens during the procedure
The stoma itself is formed as part of the main operation: the bowel end is brought through the abdominal wall and stitched to the skin, forming a small pink spout. The procedure adds a short time to the operation.
Afterwards — recovery & results
You will be taught to change the bag, care for the skin and manage diet before discharge. Output from an ileostomy is looser and more continuous than from a colostomy. Most people adapt over weeks and return to work, exercise and normal clothing; stoma nurses remain a long-term support.
Risks & considerations
Problems can include skin soreness, leaks, the stoma retracting or prolapsing, a hernia beside the stoma, and — with ileostomies — dehydration from high fluid losses, which needs prompt advice. Most issues are manageable with stoma-nurse support.
Watch: Stoma formation (colostomy / ileostomy) videos
Real procedure videos from the MedicalVideos.com library. Some clinical footage is graphic — that is the nature of a medical video library.
Related guides on MedicalVideos.com
Frequently asked questions
Does a stoma smell or show under clothes?
Modern bags are odour-proof and flat. Other people will not know you have one. Emptying routines quickly become part of daily life.
Can a stoma be reversed?
Temporary stomas often can, once the reason for them has resolved and checks confirm healing. Your surgeon will discuss if and when reversal is appropriate for you.
Related procedures — General & Abdominal Surgery
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