Stomas

Question 1

What is a stoma?

Answer 1

opening in the front of the abdomen from the bowel or bladder to allow removal of contents from bowel or bladder.

Question 2

Why may a person need a stoma?

Answer 2

Destruction of intestinal tissue e.g.:
- Diverticular disease
- Large intestine cancer
- Perforation of colon
- toxic megacolon
- colonic polyps

Question 3

What are the 3 types of stoma?

Answer 3

• Colostomy- stoma in the colon (large intestine). Can be temporary or permanent
• Ileostomy- stoma in ileum (final part of small intestine)
• Urostomy- stoma in bladder- following bladder removal = urine output. is irreversible

Question 4

Describe colostomy bags

Answer 4

Closed bag
Disposable
Change 1-2 times a day
Opaque or beige coloured- discrete
one piece- bag is attached to a base plate
two piece- base plate is not attached to stoma pouch. Can have base plate attached to skin for 3-7 days = less replacing = less skin irritation

Question 5

Describe ileostomy bags?

Answer 5

Drainable= reusable
change every 3-5 days
one or two piece systems

Question 6

Describe urostomy bags

Answer 6

1 or 2 piece symptoms
Have a tap= allow emptying of bag
can have night drainage bags
empty every 1-3 days