The most well known causes for creating an artificial stoma are an injury (due to some accident, an altercation or an assault) or a disease of the gastrointestinal tract. The surgical procedure is called an ileostomy and it consists of the following steps: the patient is given the diagnosis, based on the symptoms he or she is experiencing (usually, extreme pain and digestive troubles).
After that is set, a treatment will begin, its sole purpose being to avoid the necessity of a stoma. In most cases, it actually works. However, for those that are too sick to respond to the treatment, the surgery becomes the only way of saving their lives. Usually, these patients are those that suffer from serious digestive problems and colon cancer.
Once the surgery has been scheduled, the patient begins preparations for everything that involves the stoma that will be created. Firstly, he or she is fully informed about everything that will happen, from the reason behind the surgery to the aftercare.
After that, a bout of pre - surgery treatment is given to the sufferer: it contains mostly vitamins, minerals, antibiotics and other necessary drugs. For example, if the patient also suffers from a blood clotting problem, some blood thinners will be administered before the surgery takes place. As soon as this phase of the treatment is completed, the surgery to create the stoma gets a green light.
Basically, the procedure is a simple one: cut open the abdomen, find the damaged portion of the intestines, try cleaning it and, if that is not successful, remove it completely. Usually, about five centimeters more around the damaged area are removed, just to be on the safe side.
After that, and only if it is necessary, a new way of eliminating waste is created somewhere near the original location. This stoma is, practically, a hole in your abdominal wall. Therefore, it is best you keep in mind that you must be very careful with it, since it leads straight into your body, with no barriers in between.
Post - surgery care of your stoma
After the surgery is completed, you should spend about two to four weeks in the hospital, recovering from the surgery. Once that part of the post operatory care is finished, you are released from the hospital. While you might be tempted to try and make it on your own, it is not advisable, at least for the first few months. You will feel weak, easily fatigued and nauseated. It is best to have company in such times, if only to call the emergency line when you are unable.
The aftercare is rather pretentious, but you have to keep in mind that you have a pouch inserted in your abdomen, collecting your wastes. Some of these pouches are flat enough to not be seen when the patient dons on some clothes, but others need some support. Also, remember that the stoma is actually cut straight into your intestinal lining and it must be pink or red, moist and a little shiny at all times. Because it has contact with blood vessels, your stoma might bleed when you clean it, but the skin surrounding it must always be dry.
The stoma care includes the following steps:
- Look carefully at your stoma every time you change the pouch. If anything looks out of the ordinary, do not hesitate to go to the emergency room.
- If the skin surrounding the pouch is wet or red, your pouch may not seal well on the stoma. This is a reason for concern. You should call your attending physician immediately.
- If the stoma is leaking, then the pouch might be broken. Again, this should be addressed immediately.
- Shave all the hair surrounding the stoma area. If any of that hair enters the stoma, it can cause problems.