An ostomy is a surgery during which the pathway of waste material is altered. It prevents any damage or inflammation to the organs of the digestive system. In this procedure a hole is created in the abdomen that allows waste to pass out of the body. This waste is then collected in a pouch that a patient places over the stoma.
A person needs an ostomy bag permanently or temporarily, depending on the situation.
A rough estimate is that 100,000 Americans have an ostomy annually.
This article will help you to learn about all basic types, symptoms, complications and aftercare.
What actually happens in an ostomy surgery?
In this procedure a whole surgical hole is created in the abdominal wall and an intestinal portion is connected with the abdominal wall. This will allow the waste to pass out of the body through the hole rather than rectum.
This surgical hole is termed as stoma, and it gives a dark pink shade. Ostomy patients need to carry a pouch over the stoma.
This pouch is sticker-like and it sticks to the skin very easily. It is used for storage purposes. Most of the doctors termed this pouch as an ostomy bag or “appliance”.
Following conditions show that a person needs an ostomy:
Colorectal cancer
Crohn’s disease
Ruptured or complex diverticulitis
Bowel discomfort or blockage
Ulcerative colitis
In case of an emergency, such as, abdominal injury due to any sharp object like knife or bullet wound ,doctors can perform ostomy to save the life of the victim.
Types:
Mostly two types of ostomies are performed that allow the waste to leave the body. There are called:
Colostomy or an ileostomy
These names are given according to the part of the bowel that is involved in the surgery.
In order to have clear thoughts about ostomy, a patient's needs to meet his surgeon before the surgery. This will allow the surgeon to have a detailed checkup and then he can recommend the location for the stoma. , he will tell the patient about surgery and after care.
But in emergency cases these are not the possibilities.
Colostomy
When a part of the colon is used to create a stoma is called colostomy.
In a colostomy skin portion comes almost 1 cm over the skin through the stoma. Colostomies are performed mostly on the left side of the abdomen.
Colostomy has two types:
Loop ostomy: In this surgery, the surgeon takes an loop of colon, pass it through the stoma, open it up and then stich it to the skin.
End colostomy: In this type of colostomy surgeons takes one end of the colon, pass it through the hole and then stich it to the skin.
Ileostomy:
A part of small intestine is used to create a stoma, this is called ileostomy.
Almost 2 centimeter intestinal portion comes over the skin. Ileostomies are done on the right side of the abdomen.
Urostomy:
The process in which urine is directed away from the bladder is called Urostomy. Firstly urine pass through the kidneys, then it passes through the ureters, and then it comes in ileal conduit. This ileal conduit is used by surgeon to create a stoma.
It happens in some cases that a surgeon has to remove the bladder.
J pouch
In this surgery a surgeon fold small intestine into J shape and then attach it with the stoma. This is recommended to the patients who suffer from ulcerative colitis or Familial adenomatous polyposis.
It happens sometimes that the stoma is removed after recovery of the intestine. Then the stool can pass through anus normally.
What happens during a surgery?
Stoma can be created using two methods:
Laparoscopic Surgery: It’s a less invasive surgery. We can call it as minimal intruding surgery. It involves making small holes in the abdomen, then different instruments are used by surgeons, this helps them to see inside the abdomen.
A laparotomy is more intruding surgery. It involves making big hole in the abdomen. Its an deep incision and allows a surgeon to see clearly inside the belly. Almost 16% surgeons jump to laparotomy during a laparoscopic surgery.
Some main events involved in ostomy formation are:
Removal or decompression of air, to avoid any danger
Selection of loop and making incision
Selection of ostomy site and stitching it to the bowel area.
After care:
An ostomy can save your life. In many cases, such as corectal cancer, ostomy is a part of the treatment.
Training and education are the crucial things for any ostomy patient.
Training is very important to avoid any kind of discomfort or problems.
A patient will be introduced with an ostomy nurse in the hospital. This nurse will be with the patient before and after the surgery. This nurse will be an expert and certified trainer of ostomy and she or he can guide you in the best possible manner. They will help you to learn the basics of ostomy.
steps of healing are:
Fatigue: You can feel tire both physically and mentally right after your ostomy. This is because of the sudden and dramatic turn in your life. There are many therapists and support groups that can help you in this situation.
Weight lifting: You are not allowed to lift heavy weights; it can be harmful for the stoma. It can develop the chances of hernia. It is recommended not to lift a weight more than water kettle, 8 weeks following the surgery.
Driving: You can start driving once you are sure that you can apply emergency brakes safely. This mostly takes 6- weeks following the surgery.
Bathing: A shower is recommended rather than bathing, since the wound is still fresh and recovering. You should only use water and avoid soap as it can irritate the skin around the stoma. Moreover, you can cover your stoma with any bandage or sticker to prevent the bathwater enters your wound.
Exercise: Don’t engage in hard work outs and activities. You can pursue them after some weeks but with the advice of your doctor.
Diet: Right after the surgery only fluids are allowed to take. With the passage of time you will be allowed to eat soft and light foods that are easy to digest.
Other complications:
The unplanned or emergency ostomies have higher chances of a post ostomy; a rough estimate is about 55%. Whereas, the planned ostomies have less chances for any complications, and post-surgery.
Infection is among the common complications. Other reasons are discussed below:
Blood loss or bleeding
Skin problems such as breakdown
Ostomy blockage, when feces can’t pass out of stoma
Electrolytic imbalance
Parastomal hernia, that allows intestine to came out of the skin
There are many social limitations following a surgery. Most of the patients fear to go out at public places. This is because; they are insecure about their body and ostomy bag. They fear the ridicule or questions of the people. This led them to anxiety and depression. Also they can’t control their stool or urine. This can make them feel helpless and miserable.
But don’t worry there are many therapists, counselors and support groups that help you to get of these complications.
Recovery time:
It mostly takes 8 weeks to recover fully, following your surgery.
In case of any abdominal trauma or a cancer treatment ostomy is temporary.
A temporary ostomy has less chances of leakage of bowel material into the abdomen and other risks.
An ostomy reversal surgery takes less time than ostomy formation. But it is reported that almost 19% temporary ostomies can turn into permanent ones because of some internal complications.
Bottom-line:
Despite of the dangers, ostomy is a life saver. Basic education and training about the ostomy can help you to avoid any kind of discomfort and complications. A friend or close family member can help you to overcome the post traumatic depression. You may also contact and therapist.
What is mechanism behind ostomy?
An ostomy is a surgery during which the pathway of waste material is altered. It prevents any damage or inflammation to the organs of the digestive system. In this procedure, a hole is created in the abdomen that allows waste to pass out of the body. This waste is then collected in a pouch that a patient places over the stoma.
A person needs an ostomy bag permanently or temporarily, depending on the situation.
A rough estimate is that 100,000 Americans have an ostomy annually.
This article will help you to learn about all basic types, symptoms, complications, and aftercare.
What actually happens in an ostomy surgery?
In this procedure, a whole surgical hole is created in the abdominal wall and an intestinal portion is connected with the abdominal wall. This will allow the waste to pass out of the body through the hole rather than the rectum.
This surgical hole is termed a stoma, and it gives a dark pink shade. Ostomy patients need to carry a pouch over the stoma.
This pouch is sticker like and it sticks to the skin very easily. It is used for storage purposes. Most of the doctors termed this pouch as an ostomy bag or “appliance”.
The following conditions show that a person needs an ostomy:
∙ Colorectal cancer
∙ Crohn’s disease
∙ Ruptured or complex diverticulitis
∙ Bowel discomfort or blockage
∙ Ulcerative colitis
In case of emergency, such as, abdominal injury due to any sharp object like knife or bullet wound, doctors can perform an ostomy to save the life of the victim.
Types:
Mostly two types of ostomies are performed that allows the waste to leave the body. There are called:
Colostomy or an ileostomy
These names are given according to the part of the bowel that is involved in the surgery.
In order to have clear thoughts about ostomy, a patients needs to meet his surgeon before the surgery. This will allow the surgeon to have a detailed checkup and then he can recommend the location for the stoma. , he will tell the patient about the surgery, and after care.
But in emergency cases, these are not the possibilities.
Colostomy
When a part of the colon is used to create a stoma is called a colostomy.
In a colostomy, skin portion comes almost 1 cm over the skin through the stoma. Colostomies are performed mostly on the left side of the abdomen.
Colostomy has two types:
Loop ostomy: In this surgery, the surgeon takes a loop of the colon, pass it through the stoma, open it up, and then stitch it to the skin.
End colostomy: In this type of colostomy surgeons takes one end of the colon, pass it through the hole and then stich it to the skin.
Ileostomy:
A part of the small intestine is used to create a stoma, this is called an ileostomy.
Almost 2 centimeter intestinal portion comes over the skin. Ileostomies are done on the right side of the abdomen.
Urostomy:
The process in which urine is directed away from the bladder is called Urostomy. Firstly urine passes through the kidneys, then it passes through the ureters, and then it comes into the ileal conduit. This ileal conduit is used by the surgeon to create a stoma.
It happens in some cases that a surgeon has to remove the bladder.
J pouch
In this surgery, a surgeon folds the small intestine into a J shape and then attach it with the stoma. This is recommended to patients who suffer from ulcerative colitis or familial adenomatous polyposis.
It happens sometimes that the stoma is removed after recovery of the intestine. Then the stool can pass through the anus normally.
What happens during surgery?
The stoma can be created using two methods:
Laparoscopic Surgery: It’s a less invasive surgery. We can call it minimal intruding surgery. It involves making small holes in the abdomen, then different instruments are used by surgeons, this helps them to see inside the abdomen.
A laparotomy is more intruding surgery. It involves making a big hole in the abdomen. It's a deep incision and allows a surgeon to see clearly inside the belly. Almost 16% surgeons jump to laparotomy during laparoscopic surgery.
Some main events involved in ostomy formation are:
∙ Removal or decompression of air, to avoid any danger
∙ Selection of loop and making incision
∙ Selection of ostomy site and stitching it to the bowel area.
Aftercare:
An ostomy can save your life. In many cases, such as colorectal cancer, an ostomy is a part of the treatment.
Training and education are crucial things for an ostomy patient.
Training is very important to avoid any kind of discomfort or problems.
A patient will be introduced to an ostomy nurse in the hospital. This nurse will be with the patient before and after the surgery. This nurse will be an expert and certified trainer of ostomy and she or he can guide you in the best possible manner. They will help you to learn the basics of ostomy.
steps of healing are:
∙ Fatigue: You can feel tired both physically and mentally right after your ostomy. This is because of the sudden and dramatic turn in your life. There are many therapists and support groups that can help you in this situation.
∙ Weight lifting: You are not allowed to lift heavy weights; it can be harmful to the stoma. It can develop the chances of a hernia. It is recommended not to lift a weight more than water kettle, 8 weeks following the surgery.
∙ Driving: You can start driving once you are sure that you can apply emergency brakes safely. This mostly takes 6- weeks following the surgery.
∙ Bathing: A shower is recommended rather than bathing since the wound is still fresh and recovering. You should only use water and avoid soap as it can irritate the skin around the stoma. Moreover, you can cover your stoma with any bandage or sticker to prevent the bathwater enters your wound.
∙ Exercise: Don’t engage in hard workouts and activities. You can pursue them after some weeks but with the advice of your doctor.
∙ Diet: Right after the surgery only fluids are allowed to take. With the passage of time you will be allowed to eat soft and light foods that are easy to digest.
Other complications:
The unplanned or emergency ostomies have higher chances of a post ostomy; a rough estimate is about 55%. Whereas, the planned ostomies have fewer chances for any complications and post-surgery.
Infection is among the common complications. Other reasons are discussed below:
∙ Blood loss or bleeding
∙ Skin problems such as breakdown
∙ Ostomy blockage, when feces can’t pass out of the stoma
∙ Electrolytic imbalance
∙ Parastomal hernia, that allows the intestine to come out of the skin
There are many social limitations following surgery. Most of the patients fear going out in public places. This is because; they are insecure about their body and ostomy bag. They fear the ridicule or questions of the people. This led them to anxiety and depression. Also, they can’t control their stool or urine. This can make them feel helpless and miserable.
But don’t worry there are many therapists, counselors and support groups thet help you to get off these complications.
Recovery time:
It mostly takes 8 weeks to recover fully, following your surgery.
In case of any abdominal trauma or a cancer treatment ostomy is temporary.
A temporary ostomy has less chances of leakage of bowel material into the abdomen and other risks.
An ostomy reversal surgery takes less time than ostomy formation. But it is reported that almost 19% of temporary ostomies can turn into permanent ones because of some internal complications.
Bottom-line:
Despite the dangers, an ostomy is a lifesaver. Basic education and training about the ostomy can help you to avoid any kind of discomfort and complications. A friend or close family member can help you to overcome post-traumatic depression. You may also contact and therapist.
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