Stoma

Stoma is a term used in medicine to refer to an artificial opening in the body, typically created through surgery. The term is derived from the Greek word "stoma," which means "mouth" or "opening." Stomas can be temporary or permanent and are used to allow bodily waste to exit the body when the natural route is not possible due to disease, injury, or surgery.

Types of Stomas

There are several types of stomas, each serving a different purpose and located in different parts of the body. These include:

• Colostomy: This type of stoma is created in the large intestine or colon. It is often used when the lower part of the colon is removed or needs to heal.
• Ileostomy: An ileostomy is a stoma that is created in the small intestine. It is often used when the entire colon is removed or needs to heal.
• Urostomy: This type of stoma is created in the urinary system to allow urine to exit the body when the bladder is not functioning properly.
• Tracheostomy: A tracheostomy is a stoma created in the trachea (windpipe) to assist with breathing.

Care and Management

Proper care and management of a stoma are essential to prevent complications such as infection and skin irritation. This includes regular cleaning of the stoma and surrounding skin, proper fitting of the ostomy appliance, and monitoring for signs of infection or other problems.

Complications

Complications can arise from having a stoma, including stoma blockage, parastomal hernia, and stoma prolapse. These complications can often be managed with medical intervention and lifestyle changes.

See Also

• Ostomy
• Ostomy care
• Stoma (botany)

Stoma Resources
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