Gastrointestinal System - Ostomy
Nutrition Care Process (Toolkits)
Last Updated: 2020-06-01
Target Group: All Adults
Key Nutrition Issues
An ostomy is a surgical procedure that provides a way for waste to be excreted from the body. In an ileostomy, the stoma is attached to the ileum; in a colostomy, the stoma is attached to the colon.
Evidence is limited on the role of diet in controlling symptoms that may occur with ostomies and in preventing postoperative complications; it is anecdotal and/or of expert opinion. Some suggestions are specific to ileostomates and do not apply to colostomates. It is important to differentiate