When it comes to the human intestinal tract, there are a lot of things to be concerned about. The normal operation of the gastrointestinal tract can be disturbed in a variety of ways, including inborn or environmental factors. In most cases, a problem with the gut is caused by a change in lifestyle or dietary habits.
The two types of intestinal procedures discussed in this article are used to treat illnesses such as cancer, obstructions, diverticulitis, and a variety of other digestive issues. The distinctions between a colostomy and an ileostomy are significant.
Ileostomy vs Colostomy
The main difference between ileostomy and colostomy is that an ileostomy is a procedure that connects the ileum to the outside of the body via the upper abdominal wall whereas a colostomy is a surgical procedure that connects the colon to the outside of the body via the lower abdomen wall. A stoma or hole is the incision produced by an ostomy or ileostomy.
Ileostomies are procedures in which a surgeon reroutes a portion of a person’s ileum to exit via an incision in their belly. Instead of exiting through the anus, waste can now pass through a new ostomy.
The ileum is the final section of the small intestine, and it aids in food digestion as well as nutrients absorption. Depending on the cause of the ileostomy, it might be short or lifelong. Ileostomies are by far the most frequent kind of transitory bowel obstruction, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders (NIDDK).
A colostomy is a kind of endometrial ablation that is comparable to an ileostomy. A physician, on the other hand, will reroute a portion of the patient’s large intestine, also known as the colon. The colon, and is the last portion of the digestive system, absorbs any residual water and nutrients from the food that passes through it. This last absorption aids in the formation of feces.
A surgeon connects a section of the colon to a hole in a person’s abdomen during a colostomy. This colon diversion permits waste to exit through a stoma on the abdomen. Colostomies, due to diversity, can be either transient or persistent.
Comparison Table Between Ileostomy and Colostomy
| Parameters of Comparison | Ileostomy | Colostomy |
| Definition | It is a surgical process to surface the terminus of the ileum or the small intestine. | The gastrointestinal tract, that is the portion of the large intestine that extends around the outside of the body, forms a colostomy. Patients with colon problems have colostomies performed by surgeons. |
| Diseases and Conditions | Bowel infections, Bowel inflammation, Diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative colitis, Bowel cancer. | Colon cancer, Colitis, FAP, Colon failure, Birth defects. |
| Methods | Ileostomy is a procedure that involves bringing the small intestine’s terminus to the exterior of the abdomen. The excrement from the ostomy is retained by a pouching system, which is cleaned every time the individual goes to the bathroom to pee. | Permanent and temporary colostomy are the usual surgeries. If a surgeon needs to remove or permanently bypass part of the colon or rectum, a person may require a permanent colostomy. Conditions such as cancer can sometimes make a permanent colostomy necessary. |
| Drugs Used | Imodium, Lomotil (diphenoxylate/atropine) along with some mild pain-killer pills. | Fibrin sealer and Artiss along with some anti-thrombosis pills. |
| Type of Surgery | It is an incision and modulation type surgery which includes internal drug injection and requires dietary restrictions too. | It is an incision-and-modulation type surgery performed by trained surgeons. |
What is Ileostomy?
An ileostomy is a medically created connection between the ileum and the lower abdomen wall. The ileum is the small intestine’s tail end. The small intestine is sewn into position through a stoma in the lower abdomen. You may be handed a bag to wear on your person. All of your fecal matter will be collected in this pouch. If your abdomen or colon isn’t working correctly, you’ll need this surgery.
One could require an ileostomy if one has a large intestinal issue that can’t be resolved with medicines. Irritable bowel illness is among the most prevalent causes of an ileostomy (IBD). Crohn’s disease and gastrointestinal disorders are two forms of irritable bowel syndrome.
Crohn’s disease affects every region of the gastrointestinal tract, from the pharynx to the stomach, resulting in inlining irritation, ulcers, and inflammation. Infection, blisters, and scarring are all symptoms of ulcerative colitis, but it affects the intestinal tract and rectum.
A specialist will map out the potential site of the incision before conducting an ileostomy. Stomas from an ileostomy are generally found on a patient’s lower left upper abdomen. The operator will then excise a 2.5 to a 3-centimeter ring of skin.
The surgeon will next cut through the intestinal tissue to reach the ileum after making this hole. The suture can then be formed in one of two ways: loop ileostomies or terminal ileostomies. Loop ileostomies are the most common type of transitory ileostomies.
What is Colostomy?
A colostomy is a laparoscopic operation that involves the removal of one terminus of the large intestine in the abdominal cavity via the perineum. One end of the intestine is redirected via an incision in the abdominal wall to form an ostomy during this surgery. A stoma or orifice is a skin hole to which a feces-collecting pouch is connected. People who have colostomies, whether short or long term, have chambers on their sides where feces accumulate and may be conveniently thrown off.
Colostomies aren’t usually permanent, especially in infants who have been born with congenital abnormalities. A septal device or a sack that gathers the feces will subsequently be sutured into the lower abdomen to collect the feces.
If a section of the intestine has previously been excised or is no longer functioning, this operation is performed. The proximal portion of the colon is usually removed, which prevents feces from accessing the anus.
Colostomies are used to treat issues in the lower intestine. Some issues can be resolved by redirecting feces away from the gut for a short period. Intermittent useful and reliable are utilized to keep feces out of the intestine during this time. Permanent colostomies are conducted if the colon gets sick, such as in the treatment of colon cancer, and the colon may be eliminated.
Main Differences Between Ileostomy and Colostomy
- An ileostomy is performed on the ileum whereas colostomy is performed on the colon.
- When the entire large intestinal mechanism is no longer serving, an ileostomy is performed, whereas a colostomy is performed when only a portion of the large intestine is no longer effective.
- An ileostomy is usually permanent whereas colostomy cases are usually phasal or non-permanent.
- An Ileostomy requires an anti-fibroid diet after incision whereas colostomy requires a medicated and balanced diet with no particular dietary restrictions.
- An ileostomy is a more complex surgery when compared to colostomy.
Conclusion
When the intestine fails to execute its normal responsibilities and functions, both operations are required. Both a colostomy and an ileostomy are medical treatments that involve a surgeon cutting a hole in the skin to allow waste materials to exit the intestines. While colostomies and ileostomies may appear to be identical at first look, they are not.
A bowel diversion can alternatively be referred to as a colostomy or ileostomy. The difference between the two is that an ileostomy is used to bring the end of the small intestine to the surface of the abdomen, whereas a colostomy is used to temporarily relieve the patient’s anal sphincter and redirect the feces.
References
- https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/treatment-types/surgery/ostomies/colostomy/what-is-colostomy.html
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ileostomy/