A surgical procedure that creates an opening (stoma) in the abdominal wall where the small intestine (ileum) is brought to the surface, allowing intestinal contents to drain into an external collection bag. Often performed when the colon must be removed or needs to heal.
From Latin 'ileum' (the final portion of the small intestine, named from Greek 'eilein' meaning to roll up) and Greek 'stoma' (mouth or opening). The procedure developed alongside advances in understanding intestinal anatomy and improved surgical techniques in the 19th and 20th centuries.
An ileostomy bypasses the entire large intestine, so the output is much more liquid and frequent than a colostomy because the colon's main job is absorbing water from waste! People with ileostomies must be extra careful about hydration and electrolyte balance, highlighting how crucial the large intestine is for maintaining our body's fluid balance.
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