Which statement correctly describes an end stoma versus loop stoma?

• A. End stoma has two openings; loop stoma has proximal and distal lumens.
• B. End stoma is permanent; loop stoma is temporary.
• C. End stoma is always RLQ; loop stoma is LLQ.
• D. End stoma and loop stoma have the same configuration.

Answer: (A)

The key difference is in how the bowel is exteriorized and how many skin openings you see. An end stoma is formed by bringing the end of the bowel through the abdominal wall, creating a single external opening for waste. The distal portion of the bowel is left inside or closed off, so waste exits through that one stoma opening.

A loop stoma involves bringing a loop of bowel to the surface and opening it to create two separate luminal exits through one skin site—the proximal lumen drains the main stream, while the distal lumen can drain mucus from the distal bowel. So you see two openings (proximal and distal) at the skin for a loop stoma.

Thus, end stomas have one external opening, while loop stomas have two openings. The other statements—about permanence, anatomical location, or having the same configuration—do not reliably distinguish the two types.