What is an ileostomy?

An ileostomy is defined as a surgically created opening that connects the ileum, which is the last part of the small intestine, to the surface of the abdomen. This procedure is typically performed when a person has diseases or conditions that affect the intestines, such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or some cancers. The purpose of the ileostomy is to divert waste material away from the damaged part of the intestine, allowing it to bypass this portion and exit the body through the stoma (the opening created in the abdominal wall).

In this context, the other choices are not accurate representations of what an ileostomy entails. A temporary closure of the ileum would refer to a different surgical procedure aimed at shutting off the section of the ileum without creating an opening to the outside. A type of intestinal obstruction indicates a blockage within the intestines rather than a surgical creation of an opening. A disease affecting the ileum could describe various conditions like Crohn's disease but does not define the surgical procedure of ileostomy itself. Therefore, the description of an ileostomy accurately reflects a significant surgical intervention used to manage certain gastrointestinal conditions.