There are five types of bowel diversion surgeries that your general surgeon will discuss concerning your options and which of the following five surgeries is right for you: colostomy, ileostomy, continent ileostomy, and ileoanal reservoir.
The purpose of bowel diversion surgery is to let the fecal matter exit the body after the intestines have been injured or diseased. There are a few different things that can cause the bowel to become obstructed and in need of bowel obstruction surgery such as trauma to any part of the intestines caused by an accident or a disease such as cancer or diverticulitis.
Types of Bowel Diversion Procedures
Some of the bowel diversion surgeries redirect the bowel to an opening that is created by the general surgeon in the abdomen where a stoma is created. The general surgeon makes a stoma by gently rolling the end of the bowel back on itself. An ostomy pouch is then connected to the stoma, which is worn externally and collects the stool.
An ileostomy redirects the ileum to the stoma; it is the least complicated bowel diversion surgery. This procedure bypasses the rectum, colon, and anus. A colostomy is similar to the ileostomy, except the colon is involved in the procedure.
A continent ileostomy is an option for patients who do not qualify for the ileoanal reservoir procedure because the damage to the rectum or anus is too severe and for patients who do not want to wear the ostomy bag. The large intestine is removed and, as with ileoanal reservoir surgery, the large intestine is removed and a pouch is created from the end of the ileum. The general surgeon then connects pouch to the stoma. The pouch has to be emptied every day; this is done by placing a tube in the stoma. When the pouch is not in use, it must be covered with a patch.
