Enterostomy

Pronounced: en-tuh-ROS-stuh-mee
by Diana Kohnle

Definition

This is surgery of the abdominal wall and intestines. An opening is made into the intestines to drain the contents out or put in a feeding tube.

The Stomach and Intestinal Tract

The Intestines
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Reasons for Procedure    TOP

This surgery is done when a new exit for intestinal or fecal matter is needed. It may be needed when feces can no longer travel through the bowels and out the anus.

An enterostomy may also be needed when food can no longer enter the mouth or stomach normally. In this case, a feeding tube will be placed to help food enter the intestines.

Possible Complications    TOP

Problems from the procedure are rare, but all procedures have some risk. Your doctor will review potential problems, like:

  • Bleeding
  • Blood clots
  • Infection
  • Skin irritation around the stoma from leaking digestive fluids
  • Diarrhea
  • Intestinal obstruction
  • Hernia the at surgical site
  • Blockage or leakage of the tube, requiring replacement
  • Adverse reaction to the anesthesia

Before your procedure, talk to your doctor about ways to manage factors that may increase your risk of complications such as:

What to Expect    TOP

Prior to Procedure

  • Talk to your doctor about your medications. You may be asked to stop taking some medications up to one week before the procedure.
  • Your intestines will be cleaned with a special solution.
  • Your doctor will talk to you about the physical and emotional difficulties that you will face after this surgery.

Anesthesia

General anesthesia will be used. It will block any pain and keep you asleep through the surgery. It is given through an IV in your hand or arm.

Description of the Procedure    TOP

There are different ways this surgery can be done. In one technique, an intestinal sac for collecting fecal waste is created inside of the abdomen. This sac will include a hole called a stoma in the abdominal wall. The stoma allows access to the sac so that it can be emptied through a tube. In another technique, the intestine is directly attached to the abdominal wall so that an external bag can be attached to collect fecal waste.

If the surgery is done to place a feeding tube, an incision will be made in your abdominal wall. The doctor will grasp a section of your small intestine. A small opening will be made. The tube will be placed through this opening and secured in place with sutures. The tube will then be brought through your abdominal wall. It will be secured with sutures.

These procedures may be done by an:

How Long Will It Take?    TOP

  • 30-45 minutes to insert the tube
  • 2-4 hours if sections of the intestine need to be removed

How Much Will It Hurt?    TOP

Anesthesia will prevent pain during surgery. Pain and discomfort after the procedure can be managed with medications.

Average Hospital Stay    TOP

This procedure is done in a hospital setting. The usual length of stay is 2-4 days. Your doctor may choose to keep you longer if complications occur.

Post-procedure Care    TOP

At the Hospital
  • You may need antibiotics. You may also need medicine for nausea and pain.
  • If you had an enterostomy to help fecal matter exit the bowels, you may have a pouch on the outside of your body. Waste material will be collected in it. You will receive instructions about diet and activity. During the first few days after surgery, you may be restricted from eating.
  • The staff will monitor your fluid intake and output to help you avoid dehydration.
  • You will wear boots or special socks to help prevent blood clots.
  • You will be asked to walk often after surgery.
  • You may be asked to use an incentive spirometer, to breathe deeply, and to cough frequently. This will improve lung function.
  • Your incision will be examined often for signs of infection.
Preventing Infection

During your stay, the hospital staff will take steps to reduce your chance of infection, such as:

  • Washing their hands
  • Wearing gloves or masks
  • Keeping your incisions covered

There are also steps you can take to reduce your chance of infection, such as:

  • Washing your hands often and reminding your healthcare providers to do the same
  • Reminding your healthcare providers to wear gloves or masks
  • Not allowing others to touch your incision
At Home

It is important for you to monitor your recovery after you leave the hospital. Alert your doctor to any problems right away. If any of the following occur, call your doctor:

  • You will need to practice good skin care of the area around the stoma. This will help to prevent infection.
  • You will need to rest for 1-2 months.
  • You will be taught how to care for the stoma site and change the ostomy bag if you have one.
  • Ask your doctor about when it is safe to shower, bathe, or soak in water.

Call Your Doctor    TOP

Call your doctor if any of these occur:

  • Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or any discharge from the stoma site
  • Pus or yellow/green discharge from the incision
  • Persistent nausea and/or vomiting
  • Signs of infection, including fever and chills
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
  • Pain and/or swelling in your feet, calves, or legs
  • Pain, burning, urgency, frequency of urination, or blood in the urine
  • Blood in your stool, or black, tarry stools
  • Diarrhea
  • If you had a feeding tube placed, food cannot pass through the tube
  • The tube comes out or leaks
  • If you had an ostomy bag placed, and there is no stool collecting in the bag.

If you think you have an emergency, call for medical help right away.

RESOURCES:

Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians
http://familydoctor.org
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Association of Gastroenterology
http://www.cag-acg.org
Canadian Digestive Health Foundation
http://www.cdhf.ca

References:

Shellito PC, Malt RA. Tube gastrostomy. Techniques and complications. Ann Surg. 1985;201:180-185.
Torosian MH, Rombeau JL. Feeding by tube enterostomy. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1980;150:918-927.
6/3/2011 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance
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Mills E, Eyawo O, et al. Smoking cessation reduces postoperative complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Med. 2011;124(2):144-154.e8.
Last reviewed January 2015 by Daus Mahnke, MD
Last Updated: 5/7/2014