From the Guidelines
An abdominal wall stoma is an artificially created opening in the abdominal wall for the diversion of fecal matter or urine.
Types of Stomas
- Colostomy: a stoma created from a portion of the colon, with common indications including colorectal cancer, diverticulitis with perforation, trauma, and Crohn’s disease 1
- Ileostomy: a stoma created from a portion of the ileum, with a higher risk of early high ostomy output and leakage compared to colostomy 1
Stoma Management
Stomal care is crucial to improve clinical outcomes and reduce hospitalizations, with strategies including adequate hydration, thickening the stool with antidiarrheals, and pouching techniques to prevent leakage and excoriation 1
Complications
Common complications of abdominal wall stomas include early high ostomy output, leakage, and dehydration, which can be managed with hydration, medical treatments, and surgical interventions if necessary 1
From the Research
Definition of Abdominal Wall Stoma
- An abdominal wall stoma is a surgically created opening within the abdominal wall, which serves as an artificial intestinal exit for excretion of feces 2, 3.
- The main purpose of the stoma is to divert the excreta off from the distal intestinal loops to relieve an obstruction or protect anastomosis 2.
Types of Stoma
- A stoma of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is often surgically created at the distal small intestine (ileostomy) and the colon (colostomy) 3.
- The creation of an end vs. a loop stoma is technically different 3.
Indications for Stoma Creation
- The indications for stoma creation are intestinal obstruction due to benign or malignant tumors, perforation peritonitis, inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal malignancies, and anorectal malformations 2.
- Gastrointestinal malignancy is the most common indication for an enteric stoma, followed by abdominal trauma 2.