What Is An Ileostomy?
An iliostomy is similar to a colostomy; however, they are two different type surgeries. The difference between the two is that the colostomy diverts the colon to the stoma and an ileostomy diverts the ileum to the stoma. This type of surgery is classified as a bowel diversion surgery.
An ileostomy bypasses the anus, rectum and colon and does not have as many complications as a colostomy has.
This type of surgery is performed because of conditions such as an inflammatory bowel disease causing a bowel obstruction, diverticulitis, cancer, or trauma. It is important to mention that these surgeries affect the small and large intestine.
The small intestine is located between the large intestines and the stomach. When an iliostomy is performed, it affects the ileum. That is why the surgery is called an iliostomy instead of a colostomy.
In the standard ileostomy, the physician cuts a few inches of small intestine and pulls it through a small incision that is cut in the abdomen. He then cuts another hole into the large intestine. One stoma is connected to the intestine; the other protrudes from the abdomen connecting it to a catheter type bag that collects the bowel waste.
Now that we have a better understanding of what an iliostomy is, we have a better understand the difference between these two types of surgeries.