Colostomy is a surgical procedure that brings one end of the large intestine out through the abdominal wall. Stools moving through the intestine drain into a bag attached to the abdomen.
Alternative NamesIntestinal opening
DescriptionThe procedure is usually done after bowel resections, bowel obstruction, or injuries. The colostomy may be temporary or permanent.
Colostomy is done while you are under general anesthesia (unconscious and pain-free). It may either be done with a large surgical cut in the abdomen, or with the use of a small camera and several small cuts (laparoscopy).
The type of approach used depends on what other procedure needs to be performed. In general, the surgical cut is made in the abdomen. The bowel resection or repair is performed as needed.
See also:
For the colostomy, one end of the healthy colon is brought out through the abdominal wall. The edges of bowel are stitched to the skin of the abdominal wall. A bag called a stoma appliance is secured around the opening to allow stool to drain.
Your colostomy may be short-term. If you have surgery on part of your large intestine, a colostomy will allow the other part of your intestine to rest while you recover. Once your body has fully recovered from the first surgery, you will have another surgery to reattach the ends of the large intestine. In general, this is done after 12 weeks.
Why the Procedure Is PerformedThere are a number of reasons to perform a colostomy:
Whether a colostomy is temporary or permanent depends on the specific disease or injury. In most instances, colostomies can be reversed.
RisksRisks for any anesthesia include:
Risks for any surgery include:
Other risks include:
You will be in the hospital for 3 - 7 days. You may have to stay longer if your colostomy was done as an emergency operation.
You may be able to suck on ice chips on the same day as your surgery to ease your thirst. By the next day, you will probably be allowed to drink clear liquids. Your health care providers will slowly add thicker fluids and then soft foods as your bowels begin to work again. You may be eating normally within 2 days after your surgery.
The colostomy drains stool (feces) from the colon into the colostomy bag. Most colostomy stool is softer and more liquid than stool that is passed normally. The texture of stool depends on the location of the segment of intestine used to form the colostomy.
Outlook (Prognosis)Before you are released from the hospital, a colostomy nurse will teach you about diet and how to care for the colostomy.
ReferencesFry RD, Mahmoud N, Maron DJ, et al. Colon and Rectum. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008: chap 50.
Cima RR, Pemberton JH. Ileostomy, Colostomy, and Pouches. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2006: chap 110.
Colostomy is a surgical procedure that brings one end of the large intestine out through the abdominal wall. Stools moving through the intestine drain into a bag attached to the abdomen.
Alternative NamesIntestinal opening
DescriptionThe procedure is usually done after:
The colostomy may be short-term or permanent.
Colostomy is done while you are under general anesthesia (asleep and pain-free). It may either be done with a large surgical cut in the abdomen, or with a small camera and several small cuts (laparoscopy).
The type of approach used depends on what other procedure done needs to be done. In general, the surgical cut is made in the middle of the abdomen. The bowel resection or repair is done as needed.
See also:
For the colostomy, one end of the healthy colon is brought out through the abdomen wall, usually on the left side. The edges of bowel are stitched to the skin of the abdomen wall. A bag called a stoma appliance is placed around the opening to allow stool to drain.
Your colostomy may be short-term. If you have surgery on part of your large intestine, a colostomy will allow the other part of your intestine to rest while you recover. Once your body has fully recovered from the first surgery, you will have another surgery to reattach the ends of the large intestine. In general, this is done after 12 weeks.
Why the Procedure Is PerformedThere are a few reasons to perform a colostomy:
Whether a colostomy is temporary or permanent depends on the disease or injury. In most instances, colostomies can be reversed.
RisksRisks from any anesthesia include:
Risks from any surgery include:
Other risks include:
You will be in the hospital for 3 - 7 days. You may have to stay longer if your colostomy was done as an emergency procedure.
You may be able to suck on ice chips on the same day as your surgery to ease your thirst. By the next day, you will probably be allowed to drink clear liquids. Your health care providers will slowly add thicker fluids and then soft foods as your bowels begin to work again. You may be eating normally within 2 days after your surgery.
The colostomy drains stool (feces) from the colon into the colostomy bag. Most colostomy stool is softer and more liquid than stool that is passed normally. The texture of stool depends on which part of the intestine was used to form the colostomy.
Outlook (Prognosis)Before you are released from the hospital, a colostomy nurse will teach you about diet and how to care for the colostomy.
ReferencesFry RD, Mahmoud N, Maron DJ, et al. Colon and Rectum. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 50.
Cima RR, Pemberton JH. Ileostomy, colostomy, and pouches. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2010: chap 113.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 05/06/2011
Shabir Bhimji, MD, PhD, Specializing in General Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Surgery will result in one of three types of colostomies: End colostomy Double-barrel colostomy Loop colostomy
preferred site for permanent colostomy
Alteration in Bowel Elimination Related To Ostomy
Although colorectal cancer is the most common indication for a permanent colostomy, only about 10-15% of patients with this diagnosis require a colostomy.
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colostomy
A colostomy bag
A colostomy is a surgical procedure performed on the large bowel, an opening is made in the bowel which is sutured to the skin in the abdominal wall and colostomy ba
A colostomy pouch will generally have been placed on the patient's abdomen, around the stoma during surgery. During the hospital stay, the patient and his or her caregivers will be educated on how to care for the colostomy.
Although colorectal cancer is the most common indication for a permanent colostomy, only about 10-15% of patients with this diagnosis require a colostomy.
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No She did not.