Colostomy

Colostomy

A colostomy is a kind of surgery in which the colon is cut off at the healthy end of the large intestine through the front abdominal wall and stitching it into place. This hole, in conjunction with the attached stoma appliance, provides an optional channel for feces to escape from the body.

There are many reasons for this procedure. Some common reasons are:

A portion of the colon has been taken out, e.g. due to colon cancer requiring a total mesorectal excision, diverticulitis, injury, etc., so that it is no longer possible for feces to exit through the anus.

A portion of the colon has been operated upon and needs to be 'rested' until it is cured. In this case, the colostomy is often interim and is usually reversed in future days, leaving the patient with a small pockmark in place of the stoma. Childs undergoing this type of surgery for extensive pelvic tumors commonly are acknowledged a colostomy in warm-up for surgery to remove the tumor, followed by retroversion of the colostomy.