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This page is offered as supplementary information to any information given to you by your Doctor or ET Nurse.

Digestive System: When you swallow food it goes down your esophagus into your stomach. Stomach acids and enzymes break down the food until it becomes a liquid mixture. From your stomach the liquid mixture passes to your small intestine which is about 20 feet long. The small intestine is where most digestion takes place. The small intestine is divided into three sections: duodenum, jejunum and the ileum. Anything not absorbed is passed onto the large intestine in a liquid form (stool). The large intestine (also called colon) is generally 5-6 feet long and has two main functions: Absorb water from your stool and to store your stool until you have a bowel movement. The colon is divided into four parts: the ascending colon, the transverse colon, the descending colon and the sigmoid colon. As the stool moves through the colon more and more water is absorbed until the stool is completely formed. During a bowel movement your stool passes from your colon to your rectum and then out of your body through the anus. The anal sphincter, a muscle in your anus, controls when to have a bowel movement.

Urinary System: The kidneys are two bean shaped organs located just above the waistline towards the back. Liquid waste (urine) passes through the kidneys via the ureters and collects in the bladder. A sphincter muscle allows the bladder to store urine until an appropriate time. During urination the sphincter muscle is relaxed and urine flows out of the body through a narrow tube called the urethra.

Urostomy: A urostomy is a surgical opening through your abdomen to either your large or small intestine. This allows urine to bypass your bladder. A urostomy can also be called a urinary diversion. Many times the bladder and urethra are removed. With a Urostomy urine is eliminated through the urostomy not the urethra. Since the urostomy does not have a sphincter muscle there is no voluntary control of urination. The person with a urostomy wears a disposable pouch to collect the urine. There are several ways in which a urostomy may be done: ileal conduit, colon conduit, ureterostomy, vesicostomy and continent urinary diversions. The most common is an ileal conduit. This new opening in the person's abdomen is called a stoma. The ileal and colon conduits both use intestine which produce mucous naturally and therefore you may notice mucous in your urine.

Colostomy: A colostomy is a surgical opening through your abdomen to your colon. This allows stool to bypass a diseased or damaged part of your colon. With a colostomy stool is eliminated through the colostomy not the anus. Since the colostomy does not have a sphincter muscle there is no voluntary control of bowel movements. The person with a colostomy wears a disposable pouch to collect the stool. A colostomy may be temporary o permanent depending on the reason for the surgery. To construct a colostomy, the surgeon brings part of the colon through the abdominal wall. This new opening in the person's abdomen is called a stoma. A colostomy can be made at almost any point along the colon depending on the reason for the surgery.

Ascending Colostomy: Made from the ascending part of the colon. Discharge is liquid or paste-like stool. You can use one-piece drainable or a two-piece drainable pouches.

Transverse Colostomy: Made from the transverse part of the colon. Discharge is paste-like or semi-formed stool. You can use one-piece or two-piece drainable pouches.

Descending Colostomy: Made from the descending part of the colon. Discharge is almost completely formed stool. You can use one-piece drainable, one-piece closed, two-piece drainable or two-piece closed pouches.

Sigmoid Colostomy: Made from the sigmoid part of the colon. Discharge is fully formed stool. You can use one-piece drainable, one-piece closed, two-piece drainable or two-piece close or a stoma cap if you irrigate.

Ileostomy: An Ileostomy is a surgical opening through your abdomen to your small intestine. This allows stool to bypass the colon. Depending on the injury or disease the colon may be surgically removed along with the rectum and anus. The colon's main function is to absorb water and store stool and you body can continue to function even without a colon. With an ileostomy stool is eliminated through the ileostomy not the anus. Since the ileostomy does not have a sphincter muscle there is no voluntary control of bowel movements. The person with a ileostomy wears a disposable pouch to collect the stool. To construct an ileostomy, the surgeon brings part of the small intestine (ileum) through the abdominal wall. This new opening in the person's abdomen is called a stoma. Usually the stoma is located on the right lower side of the abdomen (just below the waist, to the right of the navel). Right after surgery the stool is generally a steady liquid but as the small intestine begins to adapt the stool will become thicker and more paste-like. Stool from the small intestines contains digestive enzymes which can be very irritating to your skin, so it is very important that the pouch you wear have a protective skin barrier to fit around your stoma.

Stoma: A stoma is the opening through the abdominal wall. The skin around the stoma is called the peristomal skin. Each person's stoma is unique. The stoma should always be red and moist and may look painful, but because there are no nerve endings there is no pain. The stoma may bleed easily if bumped or rubbed. Can be enlarged right after surgery and may take several months to shrink to it's permanent size.

Odour: Odour can be a major concern. Ostomy pouches are made with odour barrier film that keeps the odour of the stool inside the pouch. If the pouch is clean and applied properly you should notice odours only when you empty or change your pouch. If you notice odours at any other time check the pouch for leaks.

Pouches: You should empty your pouch when it is necessary and convenient. This can be from one to three times a day depending on the type of ostomy procedure. Urostomy pouches should be emptied when they are about 1/3 full. To reduce the risk of leakage and the bulge of a pouch that is too full, you should empty your pouch on a regular base. Urostomy pouches have a anti-reflux valve which prevents the urine flowing back towards the stoma.

Skin Care: It is very important for the skin around the stoma (peristomal skin) to remain healthy and free of irritation. To avoid skin problems you must use a skin barrier and a pouch that fits properly. Every time you remove your skin barrier and pouch check your skin carefully. You can shower and bathe just as you did before. Soap and water will not enter or affect your stoma. You can shower and bathe with or without the pouch. Soap residue can affect the skin barrier or adhesive and therefore you should choose a residue-free soap or cleanser.

Wafers & Flanges: go against the skin and protects the skin around the stoma. They can be convex, flat or floating.


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