Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Ostomy Surgery?Mucus DischargeLeaksOdorLeaking Ostomy BagParastomal HerniaStoma Blockage
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Ostomy Surgery?
Mucus Discharge
Leaks
Odor
Leaking Ostomy Bag
Parastomal Hernia
Stoma Blockage
After ostomy surgery, eithercolostomyorileostomy, you may experience side effects such as mucus discharge from the anus, issues like ostomy bag leaking, skin irritation, and others.
Side effects from the surgery can be bothersome. However, they can be successfully managed, and patients with ostomies can live fulfilling lives. This article explains ostomy surgery, rectal discharge, and ostomy odor and leaks. It will also explain parastomal hernia and stoma blockage.
If the discharge from the bottom is bloody or smelly, make an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss the issue as soon as possible.
A colostomy is created when part of the large intestine is removed from the body. The part of the rectum that is left is called the rectal stump. The end of the remaining intestine is then connected to the abdomen through a surgically created stoma. Waste leaves the body through a stoma and is collected in an appliance that is worn on the outside of the body.
People who have a permanent stoma may choose to either have their rectum removed or keep it. Those who have the potential to reverse their ostomy in the future may elect to keep their rectum. The amount of rectum remaining will vary from person to person. It will depend greatly on the reason for the ostomy, such as those that are performed to treat IBD, colon cancer, trauma, or other conditions.
Doctor holding anatomically correct model of rectum with internal and external hemorrhoids and other rectal conditions.Getty/E+/ericsphotography
Mucus Discharge from the Anus After an Ostomy
Sometimes, there can still be discharge from the bottom, where the rectum and the anus are located, even though there’s a stoma.The frequency of needing to empty some fluid out of the rectum varies from one person to another, along with the reasons why this happens. In many cases, this is a normal, expected occurrence, and there is nothing to worry about.
The rectum is living tissue and continues to produce mucus even though it is not “hooked up” to anything, and stool is not passing through it. Mucus is a part of normal stool, although not usually present in a great enough quantity for it to be visible. In the absence of stool, mucus passing through the rectum becomes more apparent.
What to Do About Leaks
Some people find that themucuscan leak out of the rectum at times, especially if it tends to be of a watery consistency. Some gauze or a sanitary napkin worn in the undergarments may help catch unexpected leaks.
It may also help to sit on the toilet periodically to try to expel the mucus even before feeling the urge to pass it.
You might have the benefit of working with a wound ostomy continence nurse, or an ostomy nurse for short. This registered nurse cares for and serves as a resource for ostomy patients.
Odor from an Ostomy Bag
Although a well-fitting ostomy bag often does not produce a noticeable smell, people with an ostomy bag might notice an unpleasant odor under certain circumstances.Here are some things to consider:
If your ostomy bag smells bothersome, see your healthcare provider. Some tools for minimizing odors include using lavender oil in the bag and trying products designed for the purpose.
To understand ostomy leaks, defining what constitutes a leak is essential. A leak in an ostomy bag can happen when ostomy contents are under the skin barrier and in contact with the skin. It does not have to leak further and be in contact with the person’s clothing.
Reasons ostomy bags might leak include:
While uncomfortable, a leaking ostomy bag is not the patient’s fault. Speak with a healthcare provider if your ostomy is leaking because they can help patients reduce leaks in several ways.
Skin irritation is a common complication. Reasons for skin irritation can include allergic reactions to stoma skin care products such as barrier films, irritation from the repeated use of adhesive, and contact with ostomy contents.
A common complication of an ostomy is parastomal hernia.When this happens, a portion of the intestine protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall. It can be noticeable as a lump or other irregularity in the abdomen. They can be harmless, but they can also cause strangulation of the intestine, which is an emergency.
Parastomal hernia is treated with surgery to strengthen the abdominal wall with mesh.
Having an ostomy can be a significant change, but with some adjustments, you can still participate in work and social activities, including travel and a fulfilling sex life. Learning as much as possible about your ostomy and taking advantage of patient education resources from healthcare professionals is a key part of integrating an ostomy into a high quality of life.
A stoma blockage, also called a stoma outlet obstruction, happens when stool blocks the opening of the stoma and cannot pass into the ostomy bag. Risk factors include surgical technique of the original procedure and people with thick abdominus rectus muscle. Symptoms of stoma blockage include:
If you are experiencing symptoms of a blocked stoma, stop eating and drinking and call a healthcare professional.
Summary
Colostomies and ileostomies are two types of ostomies. An ostomy is a procedure in which an opening is created in the skin so that waste can leave the body. The waste collects in a bag outside the body. A colostomy is formed from the large intestine, while an ileostomy is formed from the small intestine.
Leaks, odors, blockages, and hernias are common complications of ostomy. However, there are many ways to deal with these complications so that people living with ostomies can lead regular and fulfilling lives.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Ileostomy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Ostomy surgery of the bowel.American Cancer Society.What is an ileostomy?American Cancer Society.Types of colostomies and pouching systems.Ambe PC, Kurz NR, Nitschke C, Odeh SF, Möslein G, Zirngibl H.Intestinal ostomy: classification, indications, ostomy care and complication management.Deutsches Ärzteblatt International. 2018;115(11):182. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2018.0182Duluklu, B.Effects of lavender essential oil for colorectal cancer patients with permanent colostomy on elimination of odor, quality of life, and ostomy adjustment: A randomized controlled trial.European Journal of Oncology Nursing. 2019;42:90-96. doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2019.08.001Indrebø KL, Aasprang A, Olsen TE, Andersen JR.Factors associated with leakage in patients with an ostomy: A cross‐sectional study.Nurs Open. 2023;10(6):3635-3645. doi:10.1002/nop2.1612Cressey BD, Belum VR, Scheinman P, et al.Stoma care products represent a common and previously underreported source of peristomal contact dermatitis.Contact Dermatitis. 2017;76(1):27-33. doi:10.1111/cod.12678Styliński R, Alzubedi A, Rudzki S.Parastomal hernia – current knowledge and treatment.Wideochir Inne Tech Maloinwazyjne. 2018;13(1):1-8. doi:10.5114/wiitm.2018.72685Stavropoulou A, Vlamakis D, Kaba E, et al.“Living with a stoma”: exploring the lived experience of patients with permanent colostomy.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(16):8512. doi:10.3390/ijerph18168512Kuwahara K, Mokuno Y, Matsubara H, Uji M, Kobayashi I, Iyomasa S.Risk factors for stoma outlet obstruction: preventing this complication after construction of diverting ileostomy during laparoscopic colorectal surgery.JMA J. 2022;5(2):207-215. doi:10.31662/jmaj.2021-0187Additional ReadingCancer Research UK.Coping with a colostomy after anal cancer.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Cleveland Clinic.Ileostomy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Ostomy surgery of the bowel.American Cancer Society.What is an ileostomy?American Cancer Society.Types of colostomies and pouching systems.Ambe PC, Kurz NR, Nitschke C, Odeh SF, Möslein G, Zirngibl H.Intestinal ostomy: classification, indications, ostomy care and complication management.Deutsches Ärzteblatt International. 2018;115(11):182. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2018.0182Duluklu, B.Effects of lavender essential oil for colorectal cancer patients with permanent colostomy on elimination of odor, quality of life, and ostomy adjustment: A randomized controlled trial.European Journal of Oncology Nursing. 2019;42:90-96. doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2019.08.001Indrebø KL, Aasprang A, Olsen TE, Andersen JR.Factors associated with leakage in patients with an ostomy: A cross‐sectional study.Nurs Open. 2023;10(6):3635-3645. doi:10.1002/nop2.1612Cressey BD, Belum VR, Scheinman P, et al.Stoma care products represent a common and previously underreported source of peristomal contact dermatitis.Contact Dermatitis. 2017;76(1):27-33. doi:10.1111/cod.12678Styliński R, Alzubedi A, Rudzki S.Parastomal hernia – current knowledge and treatment.Wideochir Inne Tech Maloinwazyjne. 2018;13(1):1-8. doi:10.5114/wiitm.2018.72685Stavropoulou A, Vlamakis D, Kaba E, et al.“Living with a stoma”: exploring the lived experience of patients with permanent colostomy.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(16):8512. doi:10.3390/ijerph18168512Kuwahara K, Mokuno Y, Matsubara H, Uji M, Kobayashi I, Iyomasa S.Risk factors for stoma outlet obstruction: preventing this complication after construction of diverting ileostomy during laparoscopic colorectal surgery.JMA J. 2022;5(2):207-215. doi:10.31662/jmaj.2021-0187Additional ReadingCancer Research UK.Coping with a colostomy after anal cancer.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Cleveland Clinic.Ileostomy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Ostomy surgery of the bowel.American Cancer Society.What is an ileostomy?American Cancer Society.Types of colostomies and pouching systems.Ambe PC, Kurz NR, Nitschke C, Odeh SF, Möslein G, Zirngibl H.Intestinal ostomy: classification, indications, ostomy care and complication management.Deutsches Ärzteblatt International. 2018;115(11):182. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2018.0182Duluklu, B.Effects of lavender essential oil for colorectal cancer patients with permanent colostomy on elimination of odor, quality of life, and ostomy adjustment: A randomized controlled trial.European Journal of Oncology Nursing. 2019;42:90-96. doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2019.08.001Indrebø KL, Aasprang A, Olsen TE, Andersen JR.Factors associated with leakage in patients with an ostomy: A cross‐sectional study.Nurs Open. 2023;10(6):3635-3645. doi:10.1002/nop2.1612Cressey BD, Belum VR, Scheinman P, et al.Stoma care products represent a common and previously underreported source of peristomal contact dermatitis.Contact Dermatitis. 2017;76(1):27-33. doi:10.1111/cod.12678Styliński R, Alzubedi A, Rudzki S.Parastomal hernia – current knowledge and treatment.Wideochir Inne Tech Maloinwazyjne. 2018;13(1):1-8. doi:10.5114/wiitm.2018.72685Stavropoulou A, Vlamakis D, Kaba E, et al.“Living with a stoma”: exploring the lived experience of patients with permanent colostomy.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(16):8512. doi:10.3390/ijerph18168512Kuwahara K, Mokuno Y, Matsubara H, Uji M, Kobayashi I, Iyomasa S.Risk factors for stoma outlet obstruction: preventing this complication after construction of diverting ileostomy during laparoscopic colorectal surgery.JMA J. 2022;5(2):207-215. doi:10.31662/jmaj.2021-0187
Cleveland Clinic.Ileostomy.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Ostomy surgery of the bowel.
American Cancer Society.What is an ileostomy?
American Cancer Society.Types of colostomies and pouching systems.
Ambe PC, Kurz NR, Nitschke C, Odeh SF, Möslein G, Zirngibl H.Intestinal ostomy: classification, indications, ostomy care and complication management.Deutsches Ärzteblatt International. 2018;115(11):182. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2018.0182
Duluklu, B.Effects of lavender essential oil for colorectal cancer patients with permanent colostomy on elimination of odor, quality of life, and ostomy adjustment: A randomized controlled trial.European Journal of Oncology Nursing. 2019;42:90-96. doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2019.08.001
Indrebø KL, Aasprang A, Olsen TE, Andersen JR.Factors associated with leakage in patients with an ostomy: A cross‐sectional study.Nurs Open. 2023;10(6):3635-3645. doi:10.1002/nop2.1612
Cressey BD, Belum VR, Scheinman P, et al.Stoma care products represent a common and previously underreported source of peristomal contact dermatitis.Contact Dermatitis. 2017;76(1):27-33. doi:10.1111/cod.12678
Styliński R, Alzubedi A, Rudzki S.Parastomal hernia – current knowledge and treatment.Wideochir Inne Tech Maloinwazyjne. 2018;13(1):1-8. doi:10.5114/wiitm.2018.72685
Stavropoulou A, Vlamakis D, Kaba E, et al.“Living with a stoma”: exploring the lived experience of patients with permanent colostomy.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(16):8512. doi:10.3390/ijerph18168512
Kuwahara K, Mokuno Y, Matsubara H, Uji M, Kobayashi I, Iyomasa S.Risk factors for stoma outlet obstruction: preventing this complication after construction of diverting ileostomy during laparoscopic colorectal surgery.JMA J. 2022;5(2):207-215. doi:10.31662/jmaj.2021-0187
Cancer Research UK.Coping with a colostomy after anal cancer.
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