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Definition

noun

The surgical procedure (or the opening produced) wherein the ileum of the small intestine is brought onto the exterior through the abdominal skin to allow drainage of intestinal contents into an external pouching system

Supplement

Ileostomies are done on patients who have problems with removing colonic wastes as a result of colon removal, colorectal cancer, or diseases affecting the large intestine such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis

Related term(s):

• ileum