An ileostomy can be permanent or temporary. There are three major types: standard ileostomy, continent ileostomy, and ileoanal reservoir.

An ileostomy is a surgical procedure in which the contents of the small intestine are diverted through a stoma (an opening in the abdomen) instead of passing through the colon and out of the rectum. The stoma is connected to a special pouch that collects all the waste products.

Doctors can recommend a person get a certain type of ileostomy depending on the condition it would be treating. It can be a permanent or temporary solution while the colon or rectum heals.

This article will review the various types of ileostomy, how to choose a pouching system, how to secure it, and the differences between a permanent and a temporary ileostomy.

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Doctors may perform a temporary ileostomy to give a person’s bowel time to heal after an illness or sustaining an injury. It means that stool is directed away from the bowel, allowing it to recover. Once the healing process is complete, doctors can reverse the ileostomy.

A permanent ileostomy can be a life saving treatment that allows people to live without a major organ. It can help improve the symptoms and quality of life of people with certain health conditions, such as cancer, by permanently removing or resting the affected part of the bowel.

Find out more about ileostomy reversal.

A standard ileostomy is the most common type. Another name for it is Brooke ileostomy.

Doctors can recommend it to treat the following:

The procedure requires a doctor to pull the end of the small intestine, known as the ileum, through the abdomen and attach it to the skin. The end of the ileum is left inside out and acts as a stoma.

The stoma is usually positioned in the right lower part of the abdominal wall. People with a standard ileostomy cannot control their fecal output, which can appear similar to a paste-like substance that constantly drains out of the stoma.

This is a potential alternative to the standard ileostomy. With continent ileostomy, a person does not have to wear an external pouch.

Doctors create an internal reservoir, or pocket, by looping the ileum back on itself. They also use part of the ileum to create a nipple valve.

A person with a continent ileostomy has to empty the reservoir a few times every day. They do so by inserting a catheter into the belly. Similar to the Brooke ileostomy, the output product is a liquid or paste-like substance.

The continent ileostomy can help treat conditions such as:

  • ulcerative colitis
  • cancer-related issues
  • familial polyposis

Find out more about how to care for continent ileostomy.

An ileoanal reservoir, also known pelvic pouch, is a procedure that may help people treat and manage ulcerative colitis or familial polyposis.

Doctors create an internal pouch using the ileum and the rectum. Depending on the exact surgical procedure, the ileoanal reservoir is known as:

  • J-pouch
  • S-pouch
  • W-pouch

To make a pelvic pouch, people undergo at least two surgeries. The pouch is then connected to the anus. This allows people to have natural bowel movements and produce soft stools. However, the consistency of the output can vary depending on what a person drinks or eats.

People have to protect the skin around their anus and make sure they do not damage the muscle in their anal sphincter, as this is the only muscle preventing the contents of the pouch from leaking out.

Learn more about J-pouch surgery.

Doctors can help people, particularly those who have never had a pouch before, make an individual decision about the right pouching system for them. They provide valuable information about the various types available and how each one works.

In general, a good pouching system should:

  • be odor-resistant
  • protect the skin around the stoma
  • stay secure and have a leak-proof seal
  • have a slim design and be nearly invisible with clothing
  • be easy to put on and empty
  • allow a person to have a bath or a shower while keeping it on

Choosing one

There are two types of pouching systems: one-piece and two-piece. Choosing a pouching system is very personal and depends on a person’s lifestyle and habits.

A one-piece pouch has a sticky back that adheres around the stoma. A two-piece pouch system includes a sticky ring that fits around the stoma, and a person would connect a pouch to the ring.

The choice of the pouching system can depend on many factors, including:

  • a person’s abdominal shape
  • the length and location of the stoma
  • whether there are folds or scars near the stoma

Whether a person uses a belt or tape to secure their pouch is a personal choice. Some people may prefer using a belt because it feels more secure. Others may prefer the tape because the belt makes them feel uncomfortable.

People who use tape can apply it around the edges of their skin barrier, similar to a frame. If a person uses the belt, they should adjust it so they can get two fingers between the belt and their body. This is to prevent the formation of pressure ulcers or damage and cuts to the stoma.

Here are some common questions about ileostomy:

What is the difference between an ileostomy and an ileum?

The ileum is the last part of the small intestine. It bonds to the first part of the large intestine, called the cecum. The ileum helps digest food coming from the stomach and the small intestine.

An ileostomy is a surgical procedure in which a surgeon brings the ileum through the abdominal wall, creating an opening in the tummy called a stoma.

What is the most common type of ileostomy?

The Brooke ileostomy, also known as standard ileostomy, is the most common type of ileostomy.

What are the 3 types of stoma?

Three types of stoma include ileostomy or colostomy, continent ileostomy, and ileonal pouch surgery.

What is the difference between an ileostomy and a loop ileostomy?

In an ileostomy, the surgeon first separates the ileum from the large intestine and then brings it out of the abdomen to form a stoma.

During a loop ileostomy, the surgeon pulls out a loop of small intestine through a cut in the abdomen before opening it up. Then, the doctor stitches the segment of the small intestine onto the skin to form a stoma.

Various types of ileostomy exist, and they can be permanent or temporary. The three major types are standard and continent ileostomy, and ileoanal reservoir.

The type of ileostomy a person has depends on many factors, including the health condition that requires treatment.

The standard, or Brooke, ileostomy is the most common type. This requires having a pouch attached to the abdomen to collect the discharge from the intestines. People can secure their pouch using a belt or tape.