Urostomy

Urostomy

        Urostomy is a stoma made in those dreadful cases where drainage of urine through the bladder and urethra is not possible. It is a stoma for the urinary system.

The reasons for the need of such a surgery can be :

• bladder cancer.
• neurologic dysfunction.
• birth defects.
• chronic inflammation of bladder.

        An ileal conduit is an urine container of little size or a pocket that is surgically created . This is made from a small bowel or a segment of a bowel. In order to make this ileal-conduit, 7-9 inch of ileum (a little bowel) is cut near the entrance to the larger bowel. Then they are reconected. The end of the ileal segment is put out the abdominal wall attach to a stoma located on the abdomen. This will remain there for the rest of your life.

        Maintaining a urostomy can be rather difficult at first but later on, after some practice I will become easy. The first problem that will appear probably in the early fazes of wearing a stoma is the leaking problem, so keep in mind that a good pouching system should offer you the following benefits:

• security with a very good leak-proof seal that lasts for 4 to 8 days
• skin protection is a must
• nearly invisible when covered with clothing( and this will do good for your self confidence too)
• easy to apply and easy to remove at all times. You can never know....

        There are two types of pouching systems: one-piece pouches and two-piece systems. Both are good but I personally find the second more flexible meaning more easy to use and maintain. It is also a little bit expensive but a rather good investment.

        Skin protection, Changing the pouching system, Emptying the pouch, Belts and tape, Night drainage system, Bathing are all very important and I will say a little bit of each in a later post. But for now I will just say a little about same practices that I discovered and are practically very good head-ups: one : Use the right size pouch opening; two: Change the pouch regularly to avoid leakage and skin irritation ; and third: Always Keep the skin clean with water or some cream.

Urostomy pictures

Stoma - Ileostomy and Urostomy

        First have in mind that a doctor and a nurse will guide you though this whole process and you are not alone in this so be confident and all will be all right in the end. Ileostomy is a stoma constructed by bringing the small intestine( ileum) to the surface of the skin. This way, the waste is collected in a pouch on the abdomen. This kind of stoma is situated on the right side of the abdomen. When an injury occurs on the large intestine and the colon is removed an ileostomy is vitally necessary. Diseases which need surgical removal include "Crohn's disease" , "Ulcerative colitis" , "Familial adenomatous polyposis" etc. Ileostomy sometimes is necessary in colorectal cancer treatment . A temporary ileostomy is necessary when a tumor blocks the colon. A loop of intestines are brought out through a stoma and the colon and rectum will be removed. This kind of stoma are often the first step in reconstruction of an ileo-anal pouch. This can last up to 11 weeks.