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What is a fecal diversion?
Fecal diversion refers to the surgical creation of an ileostomy or colostomy. An ileostomy
is an opening between the surface of the skin and the small intestine; a colostomy
is an opening between the surface of the skin and the colon. This opening is called a
stoma.
Fecal diversion is used to treat:
- complex rectal or anal problems (especially infections)
- poor control of the bowels (incontinence).
The stoma can measure from 1 to 1 1/2 inches around (see
figure below). Unlike your anus, the stoma has no sphincter muscle, so most people
cannot control the exit of waste. You will probably need to wear a pouch (ostomy
collecting device) at all times to collect the waste flow.
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