Medical

Colostomy

During the surgical creation of a colostomy, the surgeon makes an incision to examine your colon and possibly remove diseased areas. Sometimes your anus and rectum are removed and the anal area permanently closed (abdominoperineal resection or APR). A separate incision is made in your abdomen, and a section of colon is pulled through this opening (stoma). A small bag is securely fastened over the opening. Your body's waste products then flow into the bag, which you will empty as needed.

Colostomies are identified by the portion of the colon that's brought out through the stoma. For example, a sigmoid colostomy involves the sigmoid colon. The consistency of the stool that comes from a colostomy depends on where the intestine has been interrupted. If the ascending or transverse portion of the colon empties into the pouch, the stool will be loose. If the lower end of the colon is brought out at the stoma, the stool will be more formed because more liquid has been absorbed in the colon.

Although many colostomies are permanent, sometimes a temporary colostomy is created to allow a portion of the bowel to heal after injury or disease. Once healing takes place, the surgeon closes the stoma and reconnects the bowel so that normal waste elimination can continue.

The United Ostomy Association has more under Ostomy Information.

See also: stoma.