What is Ostomy?

An ostomy is an opening in the body that is surgically created in order to aid in the safe and effective discharge of body wastes. The protrusion or opening that is created is referred to as a stoma. As part of the procedure, various drainage and collection systems are utilized to trap any waste diverting it from the skin and containing it for safe disposal. What kinds of ostomy procedures are there? There are three major classifications of lower ostomy procedures including colostomy, ileostomy, and urostomy. Colostomy - This refers to the creation of an opening in the colon where a section of the colon or rectum is removed and the remaining portion is diverted to the abdominal wall and a stoma is formed. Ileostomy - This type of ostomy is a surgical opening of the small intestine where the end is brought to the abdominal wall to form a stoma. Urostomy - This is when urine is diverted away from a defective bladder by creating a passage using a section from the large intestine, or small bowel, to pass from the kidneys out of the body through a stoma. To learn more about ostomy care and find answers to common ostomy questions, visit the Health Resources section of our website. Our website can also provide you with ostomy products for easy, hassle-free purchasing.