Ileostomy Surgery

By: ColostomyCentral Staff

An ileostomy is a surgically created opening in the abdominal wall. The end of the  

ileum (the lowest portion of the small intestine) is brought through the abdominal wall 

to form a stoma, usually on the lower right side of the abdomen. When you look at 

your stoma, you are actually looking at the lining (or mucosa) of the intestine, which is 

like the lining of your cheek. Generally, the colon and rectum are removed and normal 

colon and rectum functions are no longer present. 

The stoma will appear pink to red and will be moist and shiny. It will reduce in size 

over a short period of time after surgery. The shape will be round to oval and may 

protrude or be flush with the skin.  

An ileostomy surgery

may be permanent or temporary depending upon the reason. The entire colon, rectum, and anus are removed or bypassed with a permanent ileostomy. With a temporary ileostomy, all or part of the colon is removed, but part or all of the rectum is left intact. 

Ileostomy surgery

 is usually performed when a diseased or injured colon cannot 

be successfully treated by other methods. The most frequent reason for surgery is 

inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative 

colitis. Ileostomies are also created because of birth defects, familial polyposis, injury 

or complications from cancer. 

Occasionally, a temporary ileostomy is performed in order to protect and rest the 

colon or small intestine while it is healing, or as the first stage in the formation of an 

ileal anal reservoir (J-pouch).

An Ileostomy Diet will also be beneficial to those people who wants to control their stoma. When learning about how to manage the stoma, the Ileostomy Diet is what the  dieticians will usually prescribe. For more information on Ileostomy Diet, click here.

The major function of the small intestine is to absorb the body’s nutrients and 

water. Enzymes released into the small intestine break food into small particles so that 

vitally needed proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals can be absorbed. 

These enzymes will also be present in ileostomy discharge, and they can cause skin 

breakdown. This is why the skin around an ileostomy must always be protected.

After removal of the colon and rectum, digestive contents pass out of the body

through the stoma and are collected in an individually fitted drainable pouch, which 

is worn at all times. The consistency of the ileostomy output will be liquid to pasty, 

depending on one’s diet, medications and other factors. Because the output is 

constant, the pouch will need to be emptied 5-8 times a day. Source: UOA.com