Severe cases of ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease may be treated by the surgical creation of an ileostomy, where the end of the ileum is brought to the surface of the skin. The colon may be left intact in order to heal and allow the patient to be reconnected, or, in many cases it will be removed entirely. Its function, reabsorbing salt, electrolytes and water will be carried out to some degree by the small intestine. Ileostomies are active at frequent intervals throughout the day, usually after a meal.

Illustrations by Convatec, a division of Bristol Myers-Squibb Canada Inc.