What is the role of a stoma in ostomy care?

The role of a stoma in ostomy care is to act as the artificial opening for waste elimination from the body. A stoma is created surgically to provide an alternative route for the excretion of urine or stool when normal pathways are compromised or removed due to medical conditions such as cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, or trauma.

In ostomy procedures, the section of the intestine (either the small or large bowel) is brought to the surface of the abdomen, allowing body waste to exit through this opening into a pouching system. This is crucial for individuals who no longer have the ability to control bowel or bladder functions because it significantly impacts their quality of life by enabling them to manage waste elimination safely and effectively.

While promoting healing of surgical wounds is important in the overall care of a patient with an ostomy, it is not the primary function of the stoma itself. Similarly, preventing urinary tract infections is related to comprehensive ostomy care but does not define the stoma’s function. The stoma's primary purpose remains as the designated pathway for waste exit, underscoring its vital role in ostomy care management.