January/February 2000
Common Ostomy Terms
Appliance - collection device for waste eliminated from the body.
Cecostomy - opening directly into the cecum. Functions like an ileostomy.
Colectomy - removal of all or part of the colon (large bowel).
Colonic Conduit - this surgery differs from the Ileal Conduit only in the fact that a segment of the large bowel was used to form the conduit instead of the small intestine. The stoma is usually in the lower left portion of the abdomen.
Electrolytes - salts and minerals needed by the body for good health.
Excoriation - skin breakdown.
Fistula - an abnormal channel or connection between a body cavity or organ to another body cavity or organ, or to the skin.
Irrigation - an enema given through a colostomy stoma, either to promote regulation or as a prep for surgery or diagnostic tests.
Jejunostomy - an opening into the jejunum, the portion of the small bowel after the duodenum and before the ileum.
Nephrostomy - diversion of urine away from the ureter and the bladder by insertion of a tube into the kidney(s).
Obstruction - a blockage or occlusion of a structure, often of the bowel
Ostomate - a person who has an ostomy
Ostomy - a surgically created opening in the body.
Perineal Wound - space left by removal of the rectum.
Peristalsis - progressive waves of motion which occur without voluntary control to push waste material through the bowel or ureter.
Prolapse - an outward telescoping of the bowel.
Revision - surgical relocation of the stoma to a new site or reconstruction of the stoma at the present site of surgery.
Stoma - an opening or mouth.
Stenosis - a narrowing or shrinking of the stoma due to scar tissue.
Stricture - a narrowing along a segment of the bowel.
Urinary Diversion - any one of a number of surgical procedures which diverts the urine away from a diseased or defective bladder.
Vesiscostomy - opening directly into the bladder used for urine drainage.
I am sure you will find this a handy page of terminology to have around when reading medical articles re: ostomy surgery etc.
El Paso, Texas Chapter via Ostomy Toronto via Brandon June 98
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