An ileostomy is a surgically created opening in the small bowel, the ileum. In most cases the surgeon uses part of the terminal ileum (last section of small bowel) to form the stoma. The ileum is brought through the abdominal wall, everted to form a spout and sutured to the skin.

 

The ileostomy diverts the faecal flow and the output/consistency varies depending on the location of the stoma within the small bowel. The stoma is red and moist; there are no nerve endings in the stoma and therefore no sensation.

A drainable pouch, called an ileostomy pouch, is needed to collect the stool.