Enterostomy is a medical procedure that involves creating a surgical opening in the abdominal wall for the elimination of waste material from the small or large intestines. Synonyms for enterostomy include intestinal stoma, intestinal ostomy, and intestinal fistula. Other terms used to describe the procedure include colostomy and ileostomy, which specifically refer to the creation of an opening in the colon or the ileum respectively. These procedures are sometimes necessary when the normal route of elimination is blocked or damaged, such as in cases of cancer, Crohn's disease, or injury to the bowel. While enterostomy is a life-changing procedure, it can significantly improve the quality of life for those who require it.