A colostomy is a surgical procedure that involves creating an opening (stoma) in the abdominal wall to divert the contents of the colon (large intestine) into an external pouch. This procedure is often performed when a portion of the colon is removed due to conditions like cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, or injury. The stoma allows waste to exit the body when normal bowel function is not possible. Patients with a colostomy require proper care and management of the stoma and associated pouching system.