An ileostomy can be permanent or temporary. There are three major types: standard ileostomy, continent ileostomy, and ileoanal reservoir.
An ileostomy is a surgical procedure in which the contents of the small intestine are diverted through a stoma (an opening in the abdomen) instead of passing through the colon and out of the rectum. The stoma is connected to a special pouch that collects all the waste products.
Doctors can recommend a person get a certain type of ileostomy depending on the condition it would be treating. It can be a permanent or temporary solution while the colon or rectum heals.
This article will review the various types of ileostomy, how to choose a pouching system, how to secure it, and the differences between a permanent and a temporary ileostomy.
![surgeon getting ready for ileostomy procedure](https://media.post.rvohealth.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/04/surgeon-behind-window-1296x728-header-1024x575.jpg)
Doctors may perform a temporary ileostomy to give a person’s bowel
A permanent ileostomy can be a life saving treatment that allows people to live without a major organ. It can help improve the symptoms and quality of life of people with certain health conditions, such as cancer, by permanently removing or resting the affected part of the bowel.
Find out more about ileostomy reversal.
A standard ileostomy is
Doctors can recommend it to treat
- ulcerative colitis
- Crohn’s disease
- familial polyposis
- cancer-related problems
- constipation
- food blockage
- viral gastroenteritis
- gallstones
- fat malabsorption
The procedure requires a doctor to pull the end of the small intestine, known as the ileum, through the abdomen and attach it to the skin. The end of the ileum is left inside out and acts as a stoma.
The stoma is usually positioned in the right lower part of the abdominal wall. People with a standard ileostomy cannot control their fecal output, which can appear similar to a paste-like substance that constantly drains out of the stoma.
This
Doctors create an internal reservoir, or pocket, by looping the ileum back on itself. They also use part of the ileum to create a nipple valve.
A person with a continent ileostomy has to empty the reservoir a few times every day. They do so by inserting a catheter into the belly. Similar to the Brooke ileostomy, the output product is a liquid or paste-like substance.
The continent ileostomy can help treat conditions
- ulcerative colitis
- cancer-related issues
- familial polyposis
Find out more about how to care for continent ileostomy.
An ileoanal reservoir, also known pelvic pouch, is a procedure that may help people treat and manage ulcerative colitis or familial polyposis.
Doctors create an internal pouch using the ileum and the rectum. Depending on the exact surgical procedure, the ileoanal reservoir is known as:
- J-pouch
- S-pouch
- W-pouch
To make a pelvic pouch, people undergo
People have to protect the skin around their anus and make sure they do not damage the muscle in their anal sphincter, as this is the only muscle preventing the contents of the pouch from leaking out.
Learn more about J-pouch surgery.
Doctors can help people, particularly those who have never had a pouch before, make an individual decision about the right pouching system for them. They provide valuable information about the various types available and how each one works.
In general, a good pouching system should:
- be odor-resistant
- protect the skin around the stoma
- stay secure and have a leak-proof seal
- have a slim design and be nearly invisible with clothing
- be easy to put on and empty
- allow a person to have a bath or a shower while keeping it on
Choosing one
There are two types of pouching systems: one-piece and two-piece. Choosing a pouching system
A one-piece pouch has a sticky back that adheres around the stoma. A two-piece pouch system includes a sticky ring that fits around the stoma, and a person would connect a pouch to the ring.
The choice of the pouching system can depend on many factors, including:
- a person’s abdominal shape
- the length and location of the stoma
- whether there are folds or scars near the stoma
Whether a person uses a belt or tape to secure their pouch
People who use tape can apply it around the edges of their skin barrier, similar to a frame. If a person uses the belt, they should adjust it so they can get two fingers between the belt and their body. This is to prevent the formation of pressure ulcers or damage and cuts to the stoma.
Here are some common questions about ileostomy:
What is the difference between an ileostomy and an ileum?
The ileum is the last part of the small intestine. It bonds to the first part of the large intestine, called the cecum. The ileum helps digest food coming from the stomach and the small intestine.
An ileostomy
What is the most common type of ileostomy?
The Brooke ileostomy, also known as standard ileostomy,
What are the 3 types of stoma?
Three types of stoma include ileostomy or colostomy, continent ileostomy, and ileonal pouch surgery.
What is the difference between an ileostomy and a loop ileostomy?
In an ileostomy, the surgeon first separates the ileum from the large intestine and then brings it out of the abdomen to form a stoma.
Various types of ileostomy exist, and they can be permanent or temporary. The three major types are standard and continent ileostomy, and ileoanal reservoir.
The type of ileostomy a person has depends on many factors, including the health condition that requires treatment.
The standard, or Brooke, ileostomy is