Enterostomy
An enterostomy is an operation in which the surgeon makes a passage into the patient's
small intestine through the abdomen with an opening to allow for drainage or to insert a
tube for feeding. The opening is called a stoma, from the Greek word for mouth.
Enterostomies may be either temporary or permanent. They are classified according to the
part of the intestine that is used to create the stoma. If the ileum, which is the lowest
of the three sections of the small intestine, is used to make the stoma, the operation is
called an ileostomy. If the jejunum, which is the middle section of the small intestine,
is used, the operation is called a jejunostomy. Some people use the word ostomy as
a word that covers all types of enterostomies.
Why an Enterostomy is performed
Enterostomies are performed in order to create a new opening for the passage of fecal
matter when normal intestinal functioning is interrupted or when diseases of the
intestines cannot be treated by medications or less radical surgery. Some situations that
may require enterostomies include:
- Healing of inflamed bowel segments. Enterostomies performed for this reason are usually
temporary.
- Emergency treatment of gunshot or other penetrating wounds of the abdomen. An
enterostomy is needed to prevent the contents of the intestine from causing a serious
inflammation of the inside of the abdominal cavity (peritonitis). These enterostomies are
also often temporary.
- Placement of a tube for enteral feeding. Enteral feeding is a method for conveying
nutritional solutions directly into the stomach or jejunum through a tube. Tube
enterostomies may be long-term but are not permanent.
- Removal of diseased sections of the intestines. Ileostomies performed for this reason
are permanent. The most common disorders requiring permanent ileostomy are Crohn's
disease, familial polyposis, and ulcerative colitis. Familial polyposis and ulcerative
colitis are serious health risks because they can develop into cancer.
- Treatment of advanced cancer or other causes of intestinal obstruction.
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