Fact Versus Fiction: All Stomas are the same

A stoma is a portion of the large or small intestine that has been brought through the surface of the abdomen and then folded back like a sock cuff. A stoma provides an alternative path for urine (for a urostomy) or stool (for a colostomy and ileostomy) to leave the body.

Fiction: Every Stoma is Unique After surgery your doctor will give you a stoma measuring guide to help select the correct size appliance. The measuring guide is used to measure the stoma from the base as well as the circumference. Every stoma is different and the size will vary. When measuring the stoma from the base, some things to look out for include: Retracted Stoma: A retracted stoma is when your intestine is pulling in and creating a concave effect. This will cause your stoma to retract below the surface of your skin and may result in skin irritation.

Flush Stoma: A flush stoma is when the stoma is the same height, or flush, with the surface of the skin. This may result in skin irritation. Prolapsed Stoma: A prolapsed stoma is when the intestine is being pulled out of the abdominal opening, so that the stoma sticks out further than desirable. This can be uncomfortable and may cause the stoma to not work as efficiently. Source: United Ostomy Associations of America