Wound and Ostomy Care

Each year, approximately five million Americans suffer from non-healing or chronic wounds. Our specially trained, certified wound care team takes special measures to treat patients with a variety of skin problems such as leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, burns and surgical wounds.

This team also provides ostomy care and continence care.

Ostomy Care

An ostomy is surgery to create an opening (stoma) from an area inside the body to the outside. It helps in the treatment of certain diseases of the digestive or urinary systems. The team provides care directly after surgery or for a lifetime for people with:

• Colostomies — A colostomy is an operation that creates an opening for the colon, or large intestine, through the abdomen. A colostomy may be temporary or permanent. It is usually performed after bowel surgery or injury. Stool drains from the stoma into a bag or pouch attached to the abdomen. In a temporary “loop colostomy,” a hole is cut in the side of the colon and stitched to a corresponding hole in the abdominal wall. This can be more easily reversed later by simply detaching the colon from the abdominal wall and closing the holes to reestablish the flow of stool through the colon.
• Ileostomies — An ileostomy is an opening in the belly (abdominal wall) that is made during surgery. The end of the ileum (the lowest part of the small intestine) is brought through this opening to form a stoma, usually on the lower right side of the abdomen. After the colon and rectum are removed or bypassed, waste no longer comes out of the body through the rectum and anus. Digestive contents now leave the body through the stoma. The drainage is collected in a pouch that sticks to the skin around the stoma.
• Urostomies — Aurostomy is an opening in the belly (abdominal wall) that is made during surgery. It redirects urine away from a bladder that is diseased or not working as it should. The bladder is either bypassed or removed. The urine is passed out of the body through an opening called a stoma.

Continence Clinic

Our team works in collaboration with Mankato Clinic OB/GYNs and Urology providers to improve the quality of life for men and women suffering from urinary incontinence (the uncontrolled loss of urine). They understand the impact incontinence has on a person’s life and strive to help patients understand their treatment options. Continence Clinic services can help people manage incontinence and return to their normal daily activities.

Wound and Ostomy Care
Main Street Clinic
1230 E. Main St., Mankato
507-389-8537 or request an appointment here