Stoma Care Clinic
Q. What are stomas
Stoma is a small opening on the surface of the abdomen being surgically created in order to divert the flow of faeces and/or urine either on a temporary basis or permanent.
Types of stoma
- Gastrostomy
This is when the stomach is opened on to the surface of the tummy and a tube is passed for nutrition purposes . It is a temporary measure. - Jejunostomy
This is when a part of the small intestine (jejunum) is opened on the surface of the tummy and a tube is passed for nutrition pruposes. It is a temporary measure - Ileostomy
This is when a part of the small intestine (ileum) is opened on the surface of the tummy from which stools can pass out . - Colostomy
This is when a part of the large intestine (colon) is opened on the surface of the tummy from which stools can pass out .
Gastrostomy
This is usually done alone or along with a fundoplication ( creating a valve between the food pipe and the stomach ). This may be done for a wide variety of reasons, commonest being, if the child has a failure to gain weight on oral feeding or has a swallowing dysfunction or a high grade gastro esophageal reflux.
Types of Gastrostomy
The child may have a feeding gastrostomy in the form of a tube that protrudes out of the tummy or a button which can be opened to feed and then closed off.
We prefer to use a gastrostomy button in most cases , since, chances of blockage and dislodgement are less than in a long tube.
Intestinal Stoma (Jejunostomy, ileostomy, colostomy)
This means that there is an opening on the tummy from which stools are passed. This is usually done if the child has a problem with the large intestine like absent anus or Hirschsprung disease or a problem in the small intestine like a hole in the small intestine due to infection or any other cause.
For further information, clink on the following links-https://www.hollister.com/en/ostomycare/ostomycareprofessionalresources/resourcesforyourpatients/ostomypediatric
https://www.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org/education/stoma_care_for_children_and_their_families/