Stomas and nutrition

An ileostomy or colostomy is created when part of small intestine (ileum) or large intestine (colon) is brought out onto the surface of the abdomen, respectively. There are three types of colostomy: loop colostomy, end colostomy and double barrel colostomy, and ileostomy: temporary or loop ileostomy, end ileostomy and continent ileostomy. This chapter discusses dietary management and nutritional consequences of the colostomy and the ileostomy. A stoma may be temporary or permanent depending on the underlying condition. The chapter lists several conditions, which may require the stoma formation. Preoperative nutritional status of patients requiring stoma formation is affected by their underlying medical condition and concurrent treatment such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy.