Colostomy

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Colostomy - series

Overview

Recovery

Risks

Colostomy

Definition:

Colostomy is a surgical procedure that brings the end of the large intenstine through the abdominal wall. Stools moving through the intestine drain into a bag attached to the abdomen. The procedure is usually done after bowel resections or injuries and it may be temporary or permanent.

Alternative Names:

Intestinal opening

Description:

The procedure is done while the patient is under general anesthesia (unconscious and pain-free). It may be done with invasive, open surgery or laparoscopically (several small incisions). The type of approach used depends upon what other procedure needs to be performed. In general, the incision is made in the abdomen, and the bowel resection or repair is performed as needed.

For the colostomy, the end of the healthy colon is brought through the abdominal wall, and the edges are stitched to the skin of the abdominal wall. An adhesive drainage bag called a stoma appliance is secured around the opening to allow the drainage of stool.

Indications:

There are a number of reasons to perform a colostomy:

Intra-abdominal infection, such as perforated diverticulitis
Traumatic injury to the colon or rectum (for example, a gunshot wound)
Rectal cancer
Perineal wounds/fistulas

Whether a colostomy is temporary or permanent depends on the disease process or injury being treated. In most instances, colostomies can be reversed.

Review Date: 3/30/2005
Reviewed By: Brendan T. Campbell, M.D., M.P.H., Department of Surgery, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, AR. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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