Temporary and permanent ostomy procedures can be life-changing, and understanding the differences between them is a good first step for anyone preparing for surgery or supporting a loved one through the process. While both types of ostomies involve creating a surgical opening (stoma) to divert waste, the reasons they’re performed, how long they last, and what the long-term prognosis is can vary significantly. In either case, learning what to expect regarding ostomy care can help reduce uncertainty and improve quality of life after surgery. Here, we'll go over some of the key differences between a temporary and permanent ostomy, along with what to expect.
Quick Overview: Temporary vs. Permanent Ostomy
- Temporary and permanent ostomies serve different medical purposes. Temporary ostomies are created to allow the bowel or urinary system time to heal, while permanent ostomies are necessary when normal function cannot be safely restored.
- Not all “temporary” ostomies are guaranteed to be reversed. Although many temporary ostomies can be reversed, factors such as poor healing, complications, disease progression, or overall health may make reversal unsafe or impossible.
- The type of ostomy often influences whether it is temporary or permanent. Colostomies and ileostomies can be temporary or permanent depending on the condition being treated, while urostomies are typically permanent due to bladder removal or dysfunction.
- Living with an ostomy, regardless of whether it's temporary or permanent, requires consistent ostomy care. Proper stoma care, pouch management, and access to reliable ostomy supplies are essential for preventing complications and maintaining comfort and quality of life.
- Ostomies are life-saving procedures that can significantly improve quality of life. While adjustment takes time, many people with ostomies return to daily activities and routines with the right education, support, and long-term care plan in place.
What Is an Ostomy?
An ostomy is a surgically created opening in the body that allows waste to leave the body when the digestive or urinary system cannot function normally. During ostomy surgery, a portion of the intestine or urinary tract is redirected through an opening in the abdominal wall.
This opening is called a stoma. Waste exits the body through the stoma and is collected in an external ostomy pouch, which is worn securely against the skin. The pouch is designed to contain waste discreetly and can be emptied or changed as part of regular ostomy care.
Ostomies are performed for a variety of digestive and urinary conditions, including bowel disease, cancer, injury, or infection. They may be recommended when part of the intestine or bladder needs time to heal, has been removed, or can no longer safely process waste.
What is a Permanent Ostomy?
Permanent ostomies are performed with the intention that they'll remain in place for the rest of a person's life. These types of ostomies typically cannot be reversed because essential portions of the digestive or urinary system are diseased and have been removed, or because reconnecting the system would pose significant health risks. In these cases, a permanent diversion provides the safest and most effective way for the body to eliminate waste.
Common Reasons an Ostomy Is Permanent
Several medical situations may require a permanent stoma, including:
- Cancer-related surgery, such as rectal, colon, or bladder cancer, where affected organs or muscles must be removed to eliminate disease. The severity of colorectal cancer and where it affects the intestine may also determine post-op bowel function, which your doctor will discuss with you.
- Severe inflammatory bowel disease, including advanced Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, that does not respond to other treatments.
- Extensive tissue or nerve damage caused by radiation therapy, chronic infection, or reduced blood flow.
- Congenital or traumatic conditions, such as birth defects or serious abdominal injuries that permanently affect bowel or bladder function.
In these cases, a permanent ostomy allows waste to be diverted safely while reducing the risk of complications and ongoing illness. It's important to understand that, while it may take some adjustments, ostomies are considered life-saving procedures and can greatly increase your overall quality of life by alleviating symptoms and discomfort.
What Is a Temporary Ostomy?
A temporary stoma is an ostomy that is created for a limited period of time, with the intention of being reversed once the body has healed, and normal function can safely return. A temporary ostomy may be recommended to:
- Allow the bowel or urinary system to rest and heal after surgery
- Divert waste away from a healing surgical site
- Reduce the risk of infection or complications
- Support proper tissue repair following inflammation or injury
Temporary ostomies are commonly used in situations such as:
- After bowel resections or colorectal surgery
- During treatment for diverticulitis
- When managing active inflammation from Crohn’s disease or other inflammatory bowel conditions
- Following trauma or infection affecting the digestive system
Once healing is complete and it is medically safe to proceed, a second surgery may be performed to reverse the temporary ostomy, close the opening in the abdomen, and restore normal bowel or urinary function.
Types of Ostomies and Whether They're Temporary or Permanent
Several different types of ostomies may be necessary, depending on the underlying cause and its location. These include the following:
Colostomy
A colostomy is an ostomy created from the large intestine (colon) to allow stool to exit the body through a stoma in the abdomen instead of the anus. Common conditions requiring a colostomy include:
- Colon or rectal cancer
- Diverticulitis
- Bowel obstruction or perforation
- Traumatic injury to the colon
A colostomy may be temporary or permanent. Temporary colostomies are often used to allow the colon to heal after surgery, while permanent colostomies are typically necessary when the rectum or anal sphincter has been removed or cannot function properly.
Ileostomy
An ileostomy is created from the small intestine (ileum) and diverts waste away from the colon. A large number of ileostomies are temporary because they're commonly used to protect a healing surgical connection in the colon or rectum. By diverting waste, the bowel has time to recover before normal digestion is restored.
In some cases, such as extensive disease or removal of the colon, an ileostomy may become permanent. Your doctor will discuss your circumstances to better understand what to expect.
Urostomy
A urostomy diverts urine away from the bladder when the bladder can no longer store or release urine safely. Urostomies are typically permanent because they're most often created after bladder removal due to cancer, severe injury, or congenital conditions. Since the bladder is no longer functional or present, long-term urinary diversion is required.
How Long Does a Temporary Ostomy Last?
A temporary ostomy typically lasts several weeks to several months, but the exact timeline varies from person to person based on individual healing and medical factors.
In general, a temporary ostomy may last:
- 8 to 12 weeks for uncomplicated healing after bowel surgery
- 3 to 6 months if additional recovery time is needed
- Longer than 6 months in cases involving complications, ongoing inflammation, or additional treatments such as chemotherapy
Your surgeon will monitor healing and determine when, or if, it's safe to proceed with an ostomy reversal surgery.
Is a Temporary Ostomy Always Reversible?
No, a temporary ostomy is not always reversible, even though it is created with the intention of being temporary. Several factors may prevent reversal or delay it indefinitely, including:
- Poor healing at the surgical site
- Ongoing inflammation or infection in the small or large intestine or surrounding tissue
- Scar tissue or strictures that make reconnection unsafe
- Complications from the original surgery
- Progression of an underlying condition, such as Crohn’s disease or cancer
- Overall health changes, including new medical conditions that increase surgical risk
Temporary vs. Permanent Ostomy: Key Differences
Temporary and permanent ostomies serve similar functions, but they differ in purpose and duration. Understanding these distinctions can help you feel more prepared for surgery and recovery. Some of the most notable differences include:
Purpose
- Temporary ostomy: Created to divert waste while the bowel or urinary system heals after surgery, injury, or inflammation
- Permanent ostomy: Created when normal function cannot be safely restored, and long-term diversion is required
Duration
- Temporary ostomy: Intended to last weeks or months, with the goal of reversal
- Permanent ostomy: Designed to remain in place for life
Reversibility
- Temporary ostomy: Often reversible, but not guaranteed
- Permanent ostomy: Not reversible
Underlying Conditions
- Temporary ostomy: Commonly used after bowel resections, colorectal surgery, or during active inflammation
- Permanent ostomy: Typically required after cancer-related surgery, extensive tissue damage, or organ removal
Long-Term Care
- Both temporary and permanent ostomies require consistent ostomy care and proper use of ostomy supplies, but permanent ostomies involve ongoing, lifelong management.
Preparing for Life With an Ostomy Bag
Regardless of whether your ostomy is going to be permanent or temporary, adjusting after surgery can take a bit of time. Life with an ostomy requires a few changes to your day-to-day habits, and you'll need to learn how to care for your stoma and the peristomal skin while changing your ostomy pouch regularly.
To help simplify the process, Byram Healthcare provides a wide selection of ostomy products delivered directly to your home, along with expert ostomy support to help you find the products that work best for your needs.
