Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is It?Techniques UsedPotential RisksPurposePreparationDay OfRecoveryLong-Term Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is It?
Techniques Used
Potential Risks
Purpose
Preparation
Day Of
Recovery
Long-Term Care
This article will explain what a urostomy is, the purpose of the surgery, what to expect, recovery, and long-term care.
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What Is a Urostomy?
A urostomy is a type of urinary diversion. This surgical procedure establishes a new passageway for urine to leave the body.
Urostomy involves creating an artificial opening in the abdominal wall, called a stoma, to divert urine flow from the bladder to an external pouch or bag. Urostomies are typically performed when the normal urinary system is compromised or nonfunctional, often due to conditions such as:
During a urostomy, the surgeon disconnects the ureters (tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder) from the bladder and redirects them to the stoma. The stoma is then brought through the abdominal wall, allowing urine to drain directly into a pouch attached to the outside of the body.
Various Surgical Techniques
Urostomy involves two primary techniques for redirecting urine from the body. These options are incontinent diversion and continent diversion.
Incontinent Diversion
This technique is often called a standard or conventional urostomy. It involves creating a stoma through the abdominal wall to allow urine to drain continuously into an external pouch. The urinary pathway is rerouted, providing a new exit point for urine.
Continent Diversion
A continent diversion urostomy, also known as a continent urinary reservoir, involves creating a storage space for urine inside the body using a section of the intestine.A valve mechanism controls urine flow, and a stoma is created to provide access for emptying the reservoir using a catheter.
As with any medical procedure, there are potential risks, including:
Purpose of a Urostomy
The external pouches or bags used for collecting urine are typically designed to be discreet, comfortable, and odor-proof. They can be emptied and replaced as needed to manage urine output. Urostomy pouches also typically have adhesive seals that adhere to the skin around the stoma, providing a secure and leak-resistant connection.
How to Prepare
Your healthcare provider will give you information about the surgery, including how it is likely to affect you and the supplies you will need at home.
Here are a few other things to know before your surgery:
You will also be advised to avoid eating or drinking anything for a minimum of eight hours before the scheduled surgery. However, confirming the specific fasting requirements with the hospital is essential to ensure a safe surgical experience.
What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
On the day of your operation:
Remember to follow all instructions from the hospital staff and ask any questions you may have before the surgery.
After a urostomy, you might spend up to a week in the hospital. Once you’re discharged and return home, it’s important to take it easy and avoid strenuous physical activities and heavy lifting for approximately one month.
To ensure a smooth recovery, it’s crucial to have a discussion with your surgical team to receive personalized instructions tailored to your situation.
Caring for a urostomy is essential for maintaining good health and preventing complications. Here are some important long-term care points to keep in mind:
If you have a continent urostomy, you’ll need to use a small tube called a catheter to empty the pouch multiple times daily. As time passes, you can do this less frequently as the pouch becomes larger.Having a urostomy does not decrease life expectancy.
Summary
If you have any questions or concerns about urostomy, it’s essential to discuss them with your healthcare provider, who can provide guidance and support and address any specific concerns you may have.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.What is a urostomy?.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Urinary diversion.United Urostomy Association of America.A quick guide to urostomy basics.American Cancer Society.Types of urostomies and pouching systems.City of Hope.Urostomy.Medline Plus.Urostomy pouches and supplies.Bowel and Bladder Community.What to expect before your stoma surgery.American Cancer Society.Caring for a urostomy.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.What is a urostomy?.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Urinary diversion.United Urostomy Association of America.A quick guide to urostomy basics.American Cancer Society.Types of urostomies and pouching systems.City of Hope.Urostomy.Medline Plus.Urostomy pouches and supplies.Bowel and Bladder Community.What to expect before your stoma surgery.American Cancer Society.Caring for a urostomy.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Cancer Society.What is a urostomy?.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Urinary diversion.United Urostomy Association of America.A quick guide to urostomy basics.American Cancer Society.Types of urostomies and pouching systems.City of Hope.Urostomy.Medline Plus.Urostomy pouches and supplies.Bowel and Bladder Community.What to expect before your stoma surgery.American Cancer Society.Caring for a urostomy.
American Cancer Society.What is a urostomy?.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Urinary diversion.
United Urostomy Association of America.A quick guide to urostomy basics.
American Cancer Society.Types of urostomies and pouching systems.
City of Hope.Urostomy.
Medline Plus.Urostomy pouches and supplies.
Bowel and Bladder Community.What to expect before your stoma surgery.
American Cancer Society.Caring for a urostomy.
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