What is a Stoma?

A stoma is an opening on the abdominal wall that is connected to either your bowel (or urinary system)  to allow waste (faeces or urine) to be diverted out of your body.

Let’s learn some more about the main types of Stoma!

  • ILEOSTOMY

    This is a small bowel stoma.

    The stool is often very loose as still has lots of water in it.

    An ILEOSTOMY tends (although not always) to be on the lower RIGHT side.

    It is usually spouted so sticks out. This is because the ILEOSTOMY effluent (poo) can be quite caustic and burn the skin. A spouted stoma means the bag fits better and has less skin contact.

    An ILEOSTOMY is usually temporary unless the colon has been taken out.

    An ILEOSTOMY can be done for ULCERATIVE COLITIS where all the colon is removed, in NECROTISING ENTERCOLITIS in a baby where the colon gets infected and dies or after an operation where the bowel needs rested from the faecal stream for a period to help healing e.g. after a join or repair low down on the colon.

  • COLOSTOMY

    This is a large bowel stoma.

    The stool is usually firmer and more “poo like”  as most water has been extracted.

    It tends (although not always) to be on the lower LEFT side.

    In children it is still usually spouted as makes applying the stoma easier but in adults it is often flush with the skin.

    This is because the COLOSTOMY effluent (poo) is less caustic to the skin.

    It may be temporary (in which case may be a double or “divided stoma”) or permanent in which case will be single ended.

    A COLOSTOMY may be done if a baby is born without a bottom – an ANORECTAL MALFORMATION – or with HIRSCHPRUNG DISEASE where the nerves to the lower bowel are missing – usually as a temporary measure to allow baby to grow, before definitive reconstruction. It may also be used after an INJURY to the bowel to allow healing.

  • A “DIVIDED” STOMA

    A “DIVIDED” STOMA is sometimes done temporarily to cover a bowel join or injury. It can be anywhere on abdomen.

    It will have an ACTIVE Stoma (poo comes out) and an INACTIVE Stoma (sometimes called mucous fistula).

    The advantage is that it allows REFEEDING of stoma content back down the mucous fistula as a preparation for closure.

  • MITROFANOFF STOMA

    This is where the appendix is detached from the bowel with one end plumbed into the bladder and the other end brought out to the skin – as a MITROFANOFF STOMA

    The bladder is catheterised every 2-4 hours via the MITROFANOFF to empty it

    A MITROFANOFF has no sensation so is more comfortable and acceptable than catheterising via the URETHRA, particularly in adolescents, or for girls who are wheelchair users.

    Commonly the child/adult has a neurological condition like SPINA BIFIDA but may have other issues with bladder.

    There will always be a NEUROPATHIC bladder which means it has no sensation of being full and no ability to squeeze out urine.

At A Bear Named Buttony, we believe it is time to break the stigma. 

Poo is not taboo.

Talking openly about bowels, stomas, and digestive health helps children and families feel less alone and more confident. Through our storybooks, Buttony Bear, and school visits, we encourage honest conversations that normalise something every body does.

By educating others and sharing real experiences, we help create a world where no one feels embarrassed about their condition. It is not rude, it is not strange, it is health, and it matters.

Let’s keep the conversation going. Understanding leads to empathy, and empathy changes lives.

POO IS NOT TABOO

Illustration of Buttony Bear, a bear in yellow, holding hands with Rabbit and Squirrel on either side, all smiling.