What is a Ileostomy?
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THE HUMAN DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
The digestion and absorption of nutrients, as well as the storage and elimination of fecal waste, take place in the gastrointestinal system, or the GI tract. Digestion starts in the mouth as you chew your food. Food then passes through the esophagus to be digested in the stomach. Partially digested food moves into the small intestine, where pancreatic enzymes and bile are secreted to further break down food and nutrients are absorbed.
The food that remains at the end of the small intestine is in a liquid form, full of pancreatic enzymes. The undigested food that passes into the large intestine, or colon, solidifies as water and electrolytes (substances that maintain balance in body fluids) are reabsorbed in the colon, forming solid fecal matter, or stool. Stool is then passed to the rectum, where it is stored until it is excreted through the anus.
UNDERSTANDING ILEOSTOMY SURGERY
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An ileostomy is a surgically-created opening in the abdomen through which the end of the ileum is brought up to the surface of the skin. This new opening, called a stoma , allows waste to pass directly out of the body, bypassing a diseased or damaged section of the colon. In many cases, the colon is removed. Its function, reabsorbing water and electrolytes, will be carried out to some degree by the small intestine.
After ileostomy surgery, body waste will pass through your stoma, the opening on your abdomen, and empty into a pouch. Since you will no longer have voluntary control over bowel movements, it is important to know that the discharge of body waste will be fairly constant. Liquid or pasty in consistency, it will occur several times a day, usually after a meal.
Ileostomy
An ileostomy is created by bringing a portion of the ileum (small intestine) through an opening in the abdomen. Discharge is fairly constant and watery and contains large amounts of salts and digestive enzymes.