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What Is Creation End Ileostomy?

Surgeons do their best to avoid creating an end ileostomy in patients with colon problems. However, this surgery may prove to be the best option in some situations. Only a well-qualified doctor can determine if an end ileostomy will benefit the patient's condition.

  1. Description

    • When surgeons create an end ileostomy, they connect the ileum (the last section of the small intestine) to an opening in the abdominal wall. This opening is called a stoma. Instead of allowing digested food to move from the small intestine to the large intestine and out the rectum, the end ileostomy causes the food to be passed through the stoma into a bag. The bowel movement is then stored in this bag until the patient empties it.

    Reasons

    • A doctor may opt to perform an end ileostomy for one of several reasons. In some cases, surgeons create a temporary ileostomy after colon surgery for conditions such as blockage, polyps or cancer. The ileostomy allows the colon to heal fully before the body uses it again. Patients who are paralyzed below the waist may require an ileostomy because it is often difficult to pass bowel movements when the legs are paralyzed. Creation of a stoma allows the individual to be more independent by providing a more convenient means of self-care. Finally, individuals with a high risk of infection after colon surgery may receive a permanent ileostomy to prevent feces from breaking through the wall of the large intestine and contaminating other parts of the body.

    Considerations

    • Before performing an end ileostomy, doctors must consider the dramatic effects this surgery will have on the patient's life. For example, someone whose livelihood requires a certain type of clothing may be hindered if the stoma is placed in an inconvenient area of the abdomen. Doctors must keep in mind that patients will have to live with the long-term effects of the stoma for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, some serious medical conditions require the creation of a stoma regardless of the inconvenience.

    Risks

    • The ileostomy comes with a number of risks. A few of these include internal bleeding, abnormal tissue growth, blood clots and infection. In some cases, the stoma may shift positions, causing bowel movements to leak into the abdominal cavity, or causing the ileum to protrude further through the skin than it should. Obesity often makes creating a stoma more challenging.

    Further Research

    • While there have been significant medical advances in the area of end ileostomies, more research is needed before this procedure can be perfected. For example, researchers are still uncertain about whether this alteration is safe for the elderly.

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