An ileostomy is an opening that is made in the ileum (the lowest part of the small intestine) with surgery. After the opening is made, the end of the ileum is brought to the surface of the abdomen. The stool drains from the ileum to the outside
of the body through an opening in the abdomen called a stoma.
The stoma is usually located on the lower right side of the abdomen. The stool has a liquid to soft consistency and drains into a flat, changeable, watertight bag or pouch. The pouch is attached to the skin with an adhesive (substance that seals the pouch to the skin).
An ileostomy is sometimes needed for Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, cancer, trauma or other diseases. With an ileostomy, the colon and rectum are usually removed
and cannot be used again. However, temporary ileostomies are sometimes done to allow the colon to rest and heal for a period of time.
