Your Ostomy and Urostomy Equipment Specialist
We write this blog knowing many brave souls who’ve had to endure ostomy surgery. While they are lifesaving, they are also life-changing, many times taking an emotional toll and leaving patients to adjust to a new way of caring for themselves. Ostomies are most needed in people with specific types of birth defects, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis and other diseases. They may also be required if someone suffers a severe abdominal or pelvic trauma.
The five types of ostomies include[1]:
Colostomy - The surgically created opening of the colon (large intestine) which results in a stoma. A colostomy is created when a portion of the colon or the rectum is removed, and the remaining colon is brought to the abdominal wall. It may further be defined by the portion of the colon involved and/or its permanence.
Urostomy - This is a general term for a surgical procedure which diverts urine away from a diseased or defective bladder. The ileal or cecal conduit procedures are the most common urostomies. Either a section at the end of the small bowel (ileum) or at the beginning of the large intestine (cecum) is surgically removed and relocated as a passageway (conduit) for urine to pass from the kidneys to the outside of the body through a stoma. It may include removal of the diseased bladder.
Ileostomy - A surgically created opening from the ileum, the lowest part of the small intestine. The intestine is brought through the abdominal wall to form a stoma. Ileostomies may be temporary or permanent and may involve removal of all or part of the colon.
J-Pouch - A surgically created (J-shaped) internal reservoir made from an individual’s own small intestine as an alternate way to store and pass stool. The ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) surgery is the most common pelvic pouch (see also, S, W, Kock pouch) surgery performed and most typically used to treat those with ulcerative colitis and inherited conditions such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). J-Pouch creation is most often a multi-step surgery that requires a temporary ileostomy (stoma) on the abdomen and the use of an external pouching system to eliminate waste. When successful the stoma is reversed and patients return to expelling waste through the anus. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and serious risks of this surgery.
Continent Urostomy - There are two main continent procedure alternatives to the ileal or cecal conduit (others exist). In both the Indiana and Kock pouch versions, a reservoir or pouch is created inside the abdomen using a portion of either the small or large bowel. A valve is constructed in the pouch and a stoma is brought through the abdominal wall. A catheter or tube is inserted several times daily to drain urine from the reservoir.
If you or a loved one needs or has an ostomy, Health Care Medical Infusion Specialties employs a certified ostomy specialist to help you with any questions and to support you on your journey. While having an ostomy may take a little while to get used to, many people with them go on to live happy and healthy lives. Health Care Medical Infusion Specialties also has a wide variety of ostomy supplies available. We can file your insurance for your supplies and deliver them directly to your front door in discreet packaging without a long wait time.
About Health Care Medical Infusion Specialties
Trusted for two decades by patients, hospital systems, and health care institutions statewide, Health Care Medical Infusion Specialties is Mississippi’s leading and most comprehensive provider of infusion services, nutritional and immunity IV therapy, and durable medical equipment for adults and children.
[1] https://www.ostomy.org/what-is-an-ostomy/, Accessed December 16, 2024