1. a surgical procedure in which the small intestine (ileum) is brought through an opening in the abdominal wall to allow waste to bypass the colon and exit the body into an external pouch
Usage: medical term; also refers to the opening (stoma) itself created by this procedure

Examples

• The patient underwent an ileostomy after removal of the colon due to inflammatory bowel disease.
• An ileostomy allows people with certain digestive conditions to live active, normal lives.
• The nurse provided training on how to care for and empty the ileostomy pouch.
• Many people with an ileostomy report improved quality of life after the surgery.
• The ileostomy output tends to be more liquid than output from a colostomy.