WHAT IS A STOMA?
It is a surgically created opening that connects an internal organ to the outside of the body. There are different types of stomas depending on the internal organ involved. The most common types of stomas in colorectal surgery are "ileostomy," which involves creating an opening from a part of the small intestine (ileum) to the abdominal wall, and "colostomy," which involves creating an opening from the large intestine (colon) to the abdominal wall. A stoma can be either temporary or permanent.
Temporary stomas are commonly used in cases of urgent intestinal resections or when it is preferred to divert fecal transit outside the body. This is the case, for example, when intestinal resections are performed due to inflammatory or tumor-related causes, where intestinal sutures may not heal properly due to continuous fecal transit (e.g., Hartmann's procedure).
The temporary diversion of feces through an abdominal opening allows the intestinal sutures to "rest," improving the chances of healing. After an appropriate period of time, the stoma is removed, and intestinal transit is restored through a second surgical procedure called "reanastomosis." Permanent stomas are necessary when the rectum and anal sphincters need to be removed, as in the case of very low rectal cancer (e.g., Miles' procedure). Permanent stomas are also required in cases of severe and irreparable damage to the anal sphincters or when the entire colon, rectum, and anus need to be resected due to severe ulcerative colitis. Feces and gas are collected in special bags applied to the abdominal skin.
HOW CAN INTESTINAL MOVEMENTS BE CONTROLLED?
In every hospital, there is a specialized Stoma Nurse who teaches the patient how to position the bags, when and how to replace them, how to clean the stoma to prevent infections, and, in some cases, how to control bowel movements. The bags are made of plastic material and are applied to the abdominal skin using adhesive plates. They have special filters that completely eliminate odors. In the case of an ileostomy, the feces are liquid, while in the case of a colostomy, the feces are more solid, so the bags vary according to the type of stoma. The Stoma Nurse will also advise on the most appropriate diet and, especially in the case of a permanent colostomy, teach the patient to perform periodic bowel washouts through the colostomy (irrigations). Nowadays, all these procedures have made it possible for stoma patients to lead a completely regular life.
CAN PEOPLE NOTICE IF A PATIENT HAS A STOMA?
No, the bags are very thin, easily concealable under clothing, and equipped with odor-reducing devices.
WHERE IS A STOMA POSITIONED?
It is created in a specific area of the abdominal wall. The Stoma Nurse, the day before the surgical procedure, determines the correct location for the stoma based on the patient's physique, whether they are lean or overweight, tall or short. Typically, a colostomy is created on the left side of the abdomen, while an ileostomy is created on the right side.
ARE PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND SEXUAL ACTIVITY LIMITED WITH A STOMA?
Absolutely not. Many politicians and well-known athletes have stomas. Work and sports activities can be pursued without any limitations. Most stoma patients lead a regular sex life.
WHAT CAN BE THE COMPLICATIONS OF A STOMA?
The most common complication is skin irritation around the stoma. With the assistance of the Stoma Nurse, the patient can resolve this complication through the application of specific medications. Another complication can be a stoma hernia, associated or not with the prolapse of the stoma itself (where the intestine protrudes from the stoma). If this situation causes symptoms, it may require surgical repair of the stoma (for more information, consult the website www.aistom.org).
It is a surgically created opening that connects an internal organ to the outside of the body. There are different types of stomas depending on the internal organ involved. The most common types of stomas in colorectal surgery are "ileostomy," which involves creating an opening from a part of the small intestine (ileum) to the abdominal wall, and "colostomy," which involves creating an opening from the large intestine (colon) to the abdominal wall. A stoma can be either temporary or permanent.
Temporary stomas are commonly used in cases of urgent intestinal resections or when it is preferred to divert fecal transit outside the body. This is the case, for example, when intestinal resections are performed due to inflammatory or tumor-related causes, where intestinal sutures may not heal properly due to continuous fecal transit (e.g., Hartmann's procedure).
The temporary diversion of feces through an abdominal opening allows the intestinal sutures to "rest," improving the chances of healing. After an appropriate period of time, the stoma is removed, and intestinal transit is restored through a second surgical procedure called "reanastomosis." Permanent stomas are necessary when the rectum and anal sphincters need to be removed, as in the case of very low rectal cancer (e.g., Miles' procedure). Permanent stomas are also required in cases of severe and irreparable damage to the anal sphincters or when the entire colon, rectum, and anus need to be resected due to severe ulcerative colitis. Feces and gas are collected in special bags applied to the abdominal skin.
HOW CAN INTESTINAL MOVEMENTS BE CONTROLLED?
In every hospital, there is a specialized Stoma Nurse who teaches the patient how to position the bags, when and how to replace them, how to clean the stoma to prevent infections, and, in some cases, how to control bowel movements. The bags are made of plastic material and are applied to the abdominal skin using adhesive plates. They have special filters that completely eliminate odors. In the case of an ileostomy, the feces are liquid, while in the case of a colostomy, the feces are more solid, so the bags vary according to the type of stoma. The Stoma Nurse will also advise on the most appropriate diet and, especially in the case of a permanent colostomy, teach the patient to perform periodic bowel washouts through the colostomy (irrigations). Nowadays, all these procedures have made it possible for stoma patients to lead a completely regular life.
CAN PEOPLE NOTICE IF A PATIENT HAS A STOMA?
No, the bags are very thin, easily concealable under clothing, and equipped with odor-reducing devices.
WHERE IS A STOMA POSITIONED?
It is created in a specific area of the abdominal wall. The Stoma Nurse, the day before the surgical procedure, determines the correct location for the stoma based on the patient's physique, whether they are lean or overweight, tall or short. Typically, a colostomy is created on the left side of the abdomen, while an ileostomy is created on the right side.
ARE PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND SEXUAL ACTIVITY LIMITED WITH A STOMA?
Absolutely not. Many politicians and well-known athletes have stomas. Work and sports activities can be pursued without any limitations. Most stoma patients lead a regular sex life.
WHAT CAN BE THE COMPLICATIONS OF A STOMA?
The most common complication is skin irritation around the stoma. With the assistance of the Stoma Nurse, the patient can resolve this complication through the application of specific medications. Another complication can be a stoma hernia, associated or not with the prolapse of the stoma itself (where the intestine protrudes from the stoma). If this situation causes symptoms, it may require surgical repair of the stoma (for more information, consult the website www.aistom.org).