| Sometimes treatment for Crohn's disease,
ulcerative colitis, and familial adenomatous polyposis involves removing
all or part of the intestines. When the intestines are removed, the body
needs a new way for stool to leave the body, so the surgeon creates an
opening in the abdomen for stool to pass through. The surgery to create
the new opening is called ostomy. The opening is called a stoma.
Different types of ostomy are performed depending on how much and what
part of the intestines are removed. The surgeries are called ileostomy,
colostomy, and ileoanal reservoir surgery. When the colon and rectum are
removed, the surgeon performs an ileostomy to attach the bottom of
the small intestine (ileum) to the stoma. When the rectum is removed, the
surgeon performs a colostomy to attach the colon to the stoma. A
temporary colostomy may be performed when part of the colon has been
removed and the rest of the colon needs to heal.
Ileoanal reservoir surgery is an alternative to a permanent
ileostomy. It is completed in two surgeries. In the first surgery, the
colon and rectum are removed and a temporary ileostomy is done. In the
second surgery, the ileostomy is closed and part of the small intestine is
used to create an internal pouch to hold stool. This pouch is attached to
the anus. The muscle of the rectum is left in place, so the stool in the
pouch does not leak out of the anus. People who have this surgery are able
to control their bowel movements.
More information is available from the following organizations:
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal
Disorders
P.O. Box 17864
Milwaukee, WI 53217
Phone: (414)
964-1799 or 1-888-964-2001
Email: iffgd@iffgd.org
Internet: http://www.iffgd.org/
Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America Inc.
386 Park Avenue
South, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10016-8804
Phone: 1-800-932-2423 or
(212) 685-3440
Email: info@ccfa.org
Internet: http://www.ccfa.org/
United Ostomy Association, Inc.
19772 MacArthur Boulevard, Suite
200
Irvine, CA 92612-2405
Phone: 1-800-826-0826 or (949)
660-8624
Email: info@uoa.org
Internet: http://www.uoa.org/
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