Ileoscopy

What is an ileoscopy?

For an ileoscopy (ill-ee-ah-sco-pee), doctors use a thin, flexible, lighted tube called an endoscope (en-doh-scope) – or "scope" for short – to get a good look at a person's digestive system. For this procedure, the particular part of the digestive system being looked at is the ileum.

The ileum is the last and longest section of your small intestine. The ileum is where most of the nutrients from your food are absorbed before emptying into the large intestine. Ileoscopy is done through a person's ileostomy (ill-ee-ah-sto-mee). An ileostomy is an artificial opening (called a stoma), created in the abdomen by surgeons. The ileum is brought out to the surface of the abdominal wall, allowing waste to drain into a sealed pouch on the outside of the body. Ileostomies are sometimes created as a temporary measure, to allow the intestine a chance to rest and heal after surgery. Surgeons may reconnect the intestine later, when it has healed. In a permanent ileostomy, the entire large bowel is removed before the stoma is made.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: This information is intended only to provide general guidance. It does not provide definitive medical advice. It is very important that you consult your doctor about your specific condition.