There are many reasons why your physician may feel a stoma is a viable option to improve your quality of life based on your medical condition. The most common conditions / illnesses where a stoma is part of the treatment and or management include:
• Colon, bladder, or rectal cancer
• Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
• Inherited conditions, such as familial adenomatous polyposis (a type of colorectal cancer passed down through families)
• Birth anomalies/defects
• Penetrative wounds and other trauma to the abdomen (stabbings, gunshot wound, motor vehicle accident, etc)
• Spina bifida or other congenital conditions
• Obstruction of the ureter
Depending on the disease or wound, a stoma may be temporary (to allow for healing and a return to normal working) or permanent. Your doctor will tell you whether your stoma will be temporary or permanent. In some instances, patients feel that they prefer the quality of life living with a Stoma and prefer not to have the reversal done.