An ostomy is an opening of the intestine (or urinary track) at the abdominal wall for the purpose of eliminating body waste.The three most common ostomies are:

Ileostomy: The end of the small intestines is surgically created through the abdominal wall by-passing the large intestines. A stoma is created.

Colostomy: A portion of the large intestine is by-passed. A surgical procedure creates a stoma to eliminate body waste through the abdominal wall.

Urostomy: This occurs when the bladder is removed or by-passed allowing urine to pass out of the body through a stoma.

Stoma: Is an artificial outlet (opening) in the abdominal wall surgically created due to the need to allow an alternate method for the elimination of bodily waste.

This artificial outlet functions to remove waste from the body. The stoma is round in shape, red, and moist. With all stomas you do not have muscles to control the
elimination of waste. As an ostomate, you must wear an "appliance" to cover the stoma and collect waste. There are different bags (pouches) and systems to
meet the needs and lifestyles of individuals.

Appliance: An appliance consists of a flange and a pouch. There are two main pouch systems.

a) One piece – The flange and the pouch are one unit.

b) Two piece – The flange (base plate) is separate from the pouch. The pouch is removable from the flange.