Ileostomy: Physical and Psychological Effects

This presentation discusses the physical and psychological effects of ileostomy, a surgical procedure that involves creating an artificial opening in the abdominal wall to divert faeces or urine to the exterior. It covers the indications for ileostomy, the physical effects such as skin excoriations and pouch leakage, and the psychological effects such as social anxiety and depression. It also provides tips on how to minimize these effects and live with minimal limitations.

ILEOSTOMY
P H Y S I C A L A N D P S Y C H O L O G I C A L E F F E C T S
S t u d e n t s N a m e
I n s t i t u t i o n a l A ffi l i a t i o n

A stoma is an artificial opening in the abdominal wall, which connects a hollow
viscus(bowel, urinary tract) to the outside environment to divert faeces or urine to the
exterior and collected in an external appliance.
It can be permanent or temporary
A stoma involving the colon is a colostomy and that involving the ilium is an
ileostomy.
Ileostomy can be either a loop ileostomy or an end ileostomy.
Ileostomy indications include diseases of the small or large bowel for example
decompression in diverticulosis, protection of distal bowel in distal bowel surgery,
after removal of distal bowel in bowel cancers and inflammatory bowel diseases.
Steve had a loop ileostomy due to rectosigmoid cancer that was resected. His
ileostomy was a temporary ileostomy subject to reversal

Physical Effects Of Ileostomy .
The physical effects of living with an ileostomy include:
• Skin excoriations, rashes and irritation
• Pouch leakage
• Foul smell
• Gas emission from the stoma
• Inability to lift heavy objects.
Steve needs support to minimize this effects and live with minimal
limitations. Emollients and creams are available to lessen the stressful
excoriations. Pouch leakage could be dealt with by using high quality
watertight pouches. The foul odor could be eliminated by good hygiene
and care of the stoma.

Psychological Effects Of Ileostomy .
The psychological effects of living with an ileostomy include:
• Social anxiety
• Depression
• Reduced involvement in pleasurable activities including sexual
dysfunction.
Other patients however noted improved quality of life and satisfaction
after an ileostomy procedure. Some patients may have had far worse
distressing symptoms from their individual diagnoses like the pain of
cancer, or the morbidity associated with inflammatory bowel syndromes