What is the primary purpose of an ileostomy?

The primary purpose of an ileostomy is indeed to create a surgical opening of the ileum to the abdomen. This procedure is performed when the lower part of the gastrointestinal tract is not functioning properly or needs to be bypassed due to conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease or colorectal cancer. By bringing the ileum to the surface of the abdomen, waste can be eliminated from the body through a stoma, which is the opening created during the surgery. This allows patients to manage their waste externally when the normal route through the rectum is no longer viable.

The other options describe different surgical connections or interventions that do not pertain to the primary function of an ileostomy. The connection between the gallbladder and duodenum pertains to biliary procedures, while the connection between the bile duct and jejunum refers to a different type of intestinal procedure, often related to bile drainage. Surgery involving multiple anastomoses for pancreatic cancer indicates complex reconnections of the digestive tract that are not related to the formation of an ileostomy. The focus of an ileostomy is specifically on connecting the ileum to the abdominal surface for waste elimination.