An ostomy is a surgical procedure in which an opening, or stoma, is created in the abdomen to allow waste to leave the body. The waste is collected in a pouch that is attached to the skin around the stoma. Ostomies are typically performed on individuals who have had bowel or bladder cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, or other conditions that affect the normal function of the gastrointestinal or urinary system. There are different types of ostomies, including colostomy, ileostomy and urostomy.