Artificial bowel outlet: What forms are there?
The artificial bowel outlet is classified in its designation according to which section of the bowel is connected to the abdominal wall. Thus, the connection between the scrotum and the abdominal wall is called an ileostomy. Other artificial bowel outlets are:
- Colostoma: large intestine stoma
- Transversostoma: from the transverse portion of the colon
- Descendostoma: from the descending portion of the colon
Artificial anus: when is it necessary?
- Colorectal cancer
- Functional disorders of the intestine
- Chronic inflammatory diseases (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease)
- Congenital malformations
Sometimes an artificial bowel outlet is temporary, but sometimes it is a permanent solution. The temporary creation of an artificial bowel outlet can take place if a certain section of the intestine is to be relieved, for example until wound sutures in the small intestine have healed. This is then called a protective ileostomy.
Artificial bowel outlet: terminal stoma
In the case of a terminal stoma, a single opening is formed in the abdominal wall. A bag is glued onto this, which collects the stool that continuously seeps out of the stoma. The patient cannot control this at will. However, the airtight bag prevents unpleasant odors.
Artificial bowel outlet: double-barrel stoma
In a double-branch stoma (for example, double-branch ileostomy), the doctor makes two connections between the patient’s bowel and abdominal wall. One leads to the stoma, the other away from the artificial bowel outlet.
This part can resume its function after the artificial bowel outlet has been repositioned and the patient can eliminate stool naturally.
If a longer or permanent supply of a stoma is planned for the patient, the surgeon further reinforces the exit site with a net, which he sews in behind the abdominal muscles.
Artificial bowel outlet: Risks
Especially if the enterostoma is worn for a longer period of time, the following problems may occur:
Stoma: Nutrition
Therefore, avoid certain types of cereals, legumes, dried fruit as well as nuts and oil seeds. Instead of the usual three main meals a day, you should also tend to eat many small meals to promote continuous energy intake. Once your intestines have recovered, you can slowly begin to return your diet to normal.
Irrigation
Stoma patients with an artificial bowel outlet via the large intestine (colostomy) can specifically regulate their stool excretion with so-called irrigation. This involves flushing the bowel with body-warm performance water.
The water stimulates the movement of the bowel, which results in complete emptying of the bowel. This also allows you to eliminate flatulence and bowel sounds for several hours.
Artificial bowel outlet: repositioning
A double-barreled artificial anus can be repositioned as soon as the section of bowel that has been spared has healed. This is the case, for example, when intestinal sutures have healed or an inflammation has subsided. With a protective stoma, this usually takes six to eight weeks.
As a rule, the patient can empty his bowels as usual via the natural anus.