Ureterostomy [yoo-ree-ter-os-tuh-mee] is a medical term used to describe a surgical procedure where one or both ureters are diverted through an opening in the abdomen, allowing urine to flow out of the body. The word is made up of four parts, each with its own phonetic pronunciation: ureter [yoo-ree-ter], which refers to the tube connecting the kidneys to the bladder; -o-, a linking vowel; -stomy [stuh-mee], which means "mouth" or "opening"; and the prefix a-, meaning "without." Together, these elements convey the meaning of "a surgical opening or mouth created without a bladder."
Ureterostomy is a medical procedure that involves the surgical creation of an opening on the abdominal wall, allowing one or both ureters (tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder) to be redirected outside the body. This procedure is typically performed when the normal pathway of urine from the kidneys to the bladder is obstructed or damaged, preventing urine from being excreted properly. Ureterostomy may be necessary due to conditions such as urinary tract infection, bladder or ureteral cancer, kidney stones, urethral stricture, or birth defects affecting the urinary system.
During a ureterostomy, the surgeon carefully sutures the ureter to the opening created on the abdominal wall, ensuring a secure connection. The urine then bypasses the bladder, directly flowing out of the body through the new opening, called a stoma. A stoma appliance, such as an ostomy bag, is used to collect and contain the urine, preventing leakage and maintaining hygiene.
Ureterostomy provides a means for bypassing a dysfunctional bladder or damaged urinary tract, allowing the kidneys to continue filtering waste products from the blood and excreting them. Although it may require some adaptation and care in managing the stoma appliance, ureterostomy can greatly improve the quality of life for individuals who otherwise would not be able to void urine normally. Regular monitoring and follow-up with a healthcare professional are essential to ensure ongoing well-being and optimal functioning of the ureterostomy.
The establishment of an external opening into the ureter.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word ureterostomy is derived from two Greek roots:
1. Uretero- is derived from the Greek word oureteron, which means ureter. The term oureteron is a combination of ouron (urine) and -eteron, which denotes an agent. Hence, oureteron refers to the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder, the ureter.
2. -stomy is a suffix derived from the Greek word stoma, meaning mouth or opening. It is commonly used in medical terminology to describe a surgical procedure of creating an artificial opening or redirecting a natural passage.
Combining these roots, ureterostomy literally means the surgical creation of an artificial opening or redirection of the ureter.