Common Ostomy Terms

Appliance – collection device for waste eliminated from the body.

Cecostomy – opening directly into the cecum. Functions like an ileostomy.

Colectomy – removal of all or part of the colon (large bowel).

Colonic Conduit – this surgery differs from the Ileal Conduit only in the fact that a segment of the large bowel was used to form the conduit instead of the small intestine. The stoma is usually in the lower left portion of the abdomen.

Electrolytes – salts and minerals needed by the body for good health.

Excoriation – skin breakdown.

Fistula – an abnormal channel or connection between a body cavity or organ to another body cavity or organ, or to the skin.

Irrigation – an enema given through a colostomy stoma, either to promote regulation or as a prep for surgery or diagnostic tests.

Jejunostomy – an opening into the jejunum, the portion of the small bowel after the duodenum and before the ileum.

Nephrostomy – diversion of urine away from the ureter and the bladder by insertion of a tube into the kidney(s).

Obstruction – a blockage or occlusion of a structure, often of the bowel.

Ostomate – a person who has an ostomy.

Ostomy – a surgically created opening in the body.

Perineal Wound – space left by removal of the rectum.

Peristalsis – progressive waves of motion which occur without voluntary control to push waste material through the bowel or ureter.

Prolapse – an outward telescoping of the bowel.

Revision – surgical relocation of the stoma to a new site or reconstruction of the stoma at the present site of surgery.

Stoma – an opening or mouth.

Stenosis – a narrowing or shrinking of the stoma due to scar tissue.

Stricture – a narrowing along a segment of the bowel.

Urinary Diversion – any one of a number of surgical procedures which diverts the urine away from a diseased or defective bladder.

Vesiscostomy – opening directly into the bladder used for urine drainage.

Source: El Paso, Texas Chapter (via Ostomy Toronto – June 98)

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