A Brooke ileostomy is described as which?

• A. A temporary loop ileostomy
• B. A continent ileostomy
• C. A urostomy
• D. A permanent, end ileostomy

Answer: (D)

Understanding how ileostomies are categorized helps explain this. An ileostomy can be an end ileostomy or a loop ileostomy. A loop ileostomy is usually temporary and diverts stool through a loop of ileum, often with two openings (proximal and distal limbs) that may be reversed later. An end ileostomy, on the other hand, brings the end of the ileum to the abdominal surface and typically leaves the distal segment closed or inactive, resulting in a permanent fecal diversion.

A Brooke ileostomy is a type of end ileostomy. It uses the terminal ileum brought to the skin as a single stoma with no continence mechanism, and the distal bowel is not used, making it a permanent change. It is not a continent ileostomy (which involves a reservoir and a catheterizable channel) and not a urostomy (urinary diversion).