Approximately
100,000 ostomy surgeries are performed annually in the United States.
An Ostomy
Causes a change in the way urine or stool exits the body as a result of a surgical procedure. Bodily waste is rerouted from its usual path because of malfunctioning parts of the urinary or digestive system. An ostomy can be temporary or permanent.
A Stoma
The opening created by ostomy surgery. It is located on the abdomen and is dark pink in color. For most ostomies, a pouch is worn over the stoma to collect stool or urine. For some people it is possible to have a continent diversion, an alternative to a conventional ostomy that eliminates the necessity for a pouch.
Ostomy surgery is a life-saving procedure
Ostomy surgery is a life-saving procedure that allows bodily waste to pass through a surgically created stoma on the abdomen into a prosthetic known as a ‘pouch’ or ‘ostomy bag’ on the outside of the body or an internal surgically created pouch for continent diversion surgeries. An ostomy may be necessary due to birth defects, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, incontinence and many other medical conditions. They are also necessary in cases of severe abdominal or pelvic trauma resulting from accidents or from injuries sustained during military service.
Ostomy or continent diversion surgery can occur at any age and does not lower life expectancy but is the start of a “new normal” life.
The most common specific types of ostomies
are described below. Click for more info.
Colostomy
The surgically created opening of the colon (large intestine) which results in a stoma. A colostomy is created when a portion of the colon or the rectum is removed and the remaining colon is brought to the abdominal wall. It may further be defined by the portion of the colon involved and/or its permanence.
Urostomy
This is a general term for a surgical procedure which diverts urine away from a diseased or defective bladder. The ileal or cecal conduit procedures are the most common urostomies. Either a section at the end of the small bowel (ileum) or at the beginning of the large intestine (cecum) is surgically removed and relocated as a passageway (conduit) for urine to pass from the kidneys to the outside of the body through a stoma. It may include removal of the diseased bladder.
Ileostomy
A surgically created opening from the ileum, the lowest part of the small intestine. The intestine is brought through the abdominal wall to form a stoma. Ileostomies may be temporary or permanent, and may involve removal of all or part of the colon.
J-Pouch
A surgically created (J-shaped) internal reservoir made from an individual’s own small intestine as an alternate way to store and pass stool. The ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) surgery is the most common pelvic pouch (see also, S, W, Kock pouch) surgery performed and most typically used to treat those with ulcerative colitis and inherited conditions such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). J-Pouch creation is most often a multi-step surgery that requires a temporary ileostomy (stoma) on the abdomen and the use of an external pouching system to eliminate waste. When successful the stoma is reversed and patients return to expelling waste through the anus. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and serious risks of this surgery.
Continent Urostomy
There are two main continent procedure alternatives to the ileal or cecal conduit (others exist). In both the Indiana and Kock pouch versions, a reservoir or pouch is created inside the abdomen using a portion of either the small or large bowel. A valve is constructed in the pouch and a stoma is brought through the abdominal wall. A catheter or tube is inserted several times daily to drain urine from the reservoir.
Emotional support
is critical to accepting and thriving in life with an ostomy.
UOAA Affiliated Support Groups and resources are available to everyone.
Find Your
Ostomy Answer
The official publication of the UOAA, The Phoenix Ostomy Magazine, answers the many questions and challenges of living with an ostomy or being a caregiver.
Topics include:
Skin Care • Odor Control
Diet • Exercise • Intimacy
New Products • Accessories
Psychosocial Issues and much more!
Exclusive, in-depth articles written by medical doctors, ostomy nurses and experts in stoma care offer advice and solutions while personal stories inspire us all. Each subscription includes a FREE New Ostomy Patient Guide and FREE ostomy product samples.
There are a wide variety of
ostomy supplies available.
Find what works best for your unique stoma, skin and body type.
Ostomy 101 INFOGRAPHIC
Print and hand out our Ostomy 101 Infographic to raise ostomy awareness and easily communicate “What is an ostomy?”.
and in Spanish:
OUR DIGITAL NATIONAL SPONSORS
United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) in a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is grateful for the support of its national sponsors in recognition of its mission to promote quality of life for people with ostomies and continent diversions through information, support, advocacy and collaboration.
– Digital Patron –
Ostomy Patient Guide
UOAA understands how important it is for you to have trusted information. In the New Ostomy Patient Guide you will find surgery specific answers from medical professionals to many basic questions. Also included are information and tips about living with your ostomy, and profiles of people who have returned to a full and productive life after surgery.
Contact Us
United Ostomy Associations of America
P.O. Box 2293
Biddeford, ME 04005-2293
Call us toll-free at: 1-800-826-0826.
Our Information Line hours are Monday-Friday, 9am to 3pm EST. If you have an emergency, please dial 911 or contact your local medical professional.
Please understand that UOAA is a private, nonprofit, advocacy and informational organization. We are not a medical facility and we do not have medical or legal professionals on staff. Therefore, UOAA does not provide Medical, Mental Health, Insurance or Legal Advice. Visit UOAA Virtual Ostomy Clinic provided by The Wound Company for non-emergency, virtual ostomy support.
