Abstract
Abdominal stomas are artificial openings surgically-created on the abdominal wall for the purpose of diverting the flow of body fluids (such as urine or stool) to get out from the body. Stomas are usually indicated when the distal portion of the bowel or urinary lumens are mal-functioning (e.g. due to surgical resection, neoplastic infiltration, traumatic injury,. etc). Several types of abdominal stomas exist. The most common types of abdominal stomas are intestinal or urinary, Intestinal stomas include ileostomy (where ileum is opened to the abdominal surface), cecostomy (where caecum is directly connected to the abdominal wall), and colostomy (where colon is opened to the external surface of the abdomen). Urinary stomas include vesicostomy (where the urinary bladder is connected to the abdominal wall and opened externally on the skin surface), ureterostomy (where the ureter/s is/are connected to the abdominal wall surface), and ileal conduit (where a proportion of the ileum is used to divert the urine flow from the urinary tract to the abdominal wall). Each type of stomas has its technique, subtypes, indications, and complications. The aim of this article is to enlighten the different types of abdominal stomas, their subtypes, techniques, indications, and potential complications.