Ostomy

What Is an Ostomy?

The digestive system breaks down food and gets rid of waste, but sometimes it doesn’t work as it should. When this happens, surgeons can do a procedure called an ostomy (OSS-tuh-mee). This will let waste leave the body through a small opening in the skin of the belly. This opening is called a stoma (STOE-muh). On the outside of the stoma, an ostomy pouch, or stoma bag, collects waste.

Sometimes, ostomies are used temporarily, while the body heals. Other times they are permanent.

What Are the Types of Ostomies?

There are different types of ostomy surgery. It depends on what a person needs.

Double Barrel Ostomy

In a double barrel ostomy, surgeons remove the problem areas in the bowel. Then, they bring the two ends of the bowel to openings made in the wall of the belly. They stitch the edges of the bowel to the skin to create two stomas. One stoma drains waste and the other drains mucus. A bag may be placed over both stomas to collect the waste and mucus. Or a bag may go over the stoma that drains waste, with gauze covering the other stoma.

End Ostomy

In an end ostomy, surgeons remove the problem area in the bowel. Then, they bring the healthy end of the bowel to an opening made in the wall of the belly. They stitch the edge of the bowel to the skin to create a stoma. An ostomy pouch is placed on the outside of the stoma to collect waste. Mucus that forms in the bowel past the stoma will come out the anus (where poop normally leaves the body).

Loop Ostomy

In a loop ostomy, the surgeons pull a loop of bowel through an opening made in the wall of the belly. The loop is opened, and the edges of the bowel are stitched to the skin to create a stoma with two openings. One opening drains waste and the other drains mucus. The waste and mucus go from the stoma into a bag placed over the opening.

How Does an Ostomy Work?

The digestive tract absorbs nutrients from the food we eat, and waste is left behind. The waste continuously drains out the stoma into the ostomy bag. The ostomy bag needs to be emptied several times a day — whenever it is about one third full of solid waste (poop) or gas.

The ostomy bag needs to be replaced every few days, or sooner if it leaks.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

If your child has an ostomy, call the doctor if:

• The skin around the stoma looks red, is tender, or is warm to the touch.
• Your child has fever, bloating, vomiting, or belly pain.
• The waste in the bag is watery, hard, or bloody.
• The stoma sticks out further than it usually does.

Living With an Ostomy

Kids and teens sometimes worry about having an ostomy and what others will think. But with time, they learn that having an ostomy can help them feel better — especially if they had to make frequent bathroom trips before. Some kids and teens choose to tell their friends about the ostomy. Others prefer to keep it private.

Having an ostomy doesn’t limit what kids and teens can do — they can swim, play sports, and do most other activities. Ostomies fit neatly inside clothing. Some kids like to wear close-fitting clothing or use ostomy supplies like an ostomy belt to hold the bag in place. Other children prefer to wear looser clothes.

Someone who is worried about odors might be able to use deodorant products in their ostomy bag. Learning ostomy care and how to avoid leaks around the stoma also helps prevent odors.

Many kids and teens have ostomies. For some, it helps to connect with other kids who have an ostomy. You can find more information and support online at United Ostomy Association of America (UOAA).