There are 3 types of ostomies; i.e. colostomy, ileostomy, and urostomy. Each of these ostomy procedures is done for different reasons. Even though there may be a few similarities that these ostomies share, all of these are vastly different from each other.

A surgically created opening into any area of the colon, also known as large intestine, through abdominal wall is known as colostomy. The main purpose of this kind of ostomy is to allow the excretion of liquid or formed stool through a stoma which is created to bypass the diseased or damaged part of the colon. This ostomy also allows passing out of the gas.

A few things that you may want to know about colostomy include the following.

- Colostomy can be created in any part of the colon.

- The position at which colostomy has to be created mainly depends upon the medical reason and the position of disease or damage on the colon.

- A colostomy can be both temporary and permanent.

An ileostomy is a surgically created opening into the small intestine through the abdominal wall. The purpose of ileostomy procedure is to bypass a portion consisting of small and large intestine. Since the stomal output in case of ileostomy has to get out of the body without getting fully developed in the body, it remains to be a consistent liquid type of drainage for a certain period of time. But as the body gets used to new system of waste excretion, the stool or stomal output becomes thicker.

Some facts about ileostomy are worth talking about in this regard.

- An ileostomy is usually created on the lower right side of the abdomen.

- Since the stomal output in case of ileostomy may have some digestive enzymes, it may be quite corrosive. Therefore it is very important to protect the skin around the stoma.

- An ilesotmy can be both permanent and temporary.

The surgically created opening in the abdomen to drain out the urine is called urostomy. This procedure involves bypassing of the bladder which is no longer capable of performing its function due to disease or damage.

A few facts that you want to know about urostomy may include the following.

- Urostomy is usually located in the lower right side of the abdomen.

- The most common type of urostomy is ileal conduit which involves removal of a small segment of small intestine and using it as a pipeline for the passing out of urine.

- Another type of urostomy is the colonic conduit whose function is the same as that of ileal conduit. The only difference is that a colonic conduit uses a small portion of large intestine for the passing out of urine.

- In most of the cases, urostomy is permanent.