Intestinal Stoma

Excerpt

The word stoma or ostomy is derived from the Latin word ostium, which means opening or mouth. An intestinal stoma is one of the most common surgical procedures. The exteriorization of either the small bowel (ileostomy) or large bowel (colostomy) through the anterior abdominal wall is performed. The first recorded intestinal stoma was created by the German surgeon Baum in 1879 to divert an obstructing colon carcinoma.

At present, the intestinal stoma is considered one of the most usual life-saving emergency procedures done worldwide. It may be performed to manage wide ranges of benign and malignant gastrointestinal conditions on an emergency or elective basis. In the United States, more than 130.000 intestinal stomas are created per year to address diseases such as colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases, radiation injury, colonic diverticulitis, and fecal incontinence. Intestinal stomas can be temporary or permanent. Although intestinal stomas are considered to be life-saving surgical procedures, they are associated with various complications.