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Information about Ostomies
An Ostomy is a hole surgically placed for a variety of purposes. When Sean had such a large portion of his intestines removed, he was given an ileostomy, which means that a portion of his small intestine came through his abdomen to the outside, and was sewn into place (called a stoma). We had to keep a specially made plastic pouch over the stoma so that food and gastric secretions could empty into the pouch. Some people have to have a portion of their colon removed and a similar stoma placement is called a colostomy.
A gastrostomy is placement of a hole/stoma in the stomach area, and in Seans case a button has been placed called a Mic-Key. It allows us to attach a tube to it and thus feed him specially prepared formula that is easier for the bowels to absorb. We also are able to pull air out of his stomach if he is to gassy, as well as remove stomach contents when he is sick and not processing his food properly.
If you are interested in learning more about gastrostomies, please visit the following site:
Home, CDH, Northwestern CHERUBS, Seans (long) story,
Short Bowel Syndrome, Fundoplication, TPN, Other Links
