Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Colostomy Surgery?Who Needs a Colostomy?Temporary vs. PermanentTypes of SurgeryColostomy Procedure StepsRisksRecovering at Home
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Colostomy Surgery?
Who Needs a Colostomy?
Temporary vs. Permanent
Types of Surgery
Colostomy Procedure Steps
Risks
Recovering at Home
Colostomy surgery is a surgical procedure to remove part of the colon and create an opening to allow stool to pass out of the body. The stool is collected in a colostomy bag, which is worn on the abdomen.
Colostomy surgery may be used to treat many digestive conditions, including colon cancer, Crohn’s disease, intestinal obstruction, birth defects, anddiverticulitis.
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A colostomy is a type of ostomy surgery. Ostomy describes any surgery where an opening is made from an internal organ to the body’s surface. In a colostomy, the opening is made from thecolon(or large intestine) to the outside of the abdomen.
During colostomy surgery, the surgeon may remove a segment of the colon. This results in the colon being in two separate parts.
One end of the colon is passed through a small hole in the abdominal wall. This small section of intestine, called astomawhen it’s outside the body, allows for waste to leave the body from the colon.
The other end of the colon, which is attached to the rectum, may either be removed or closed off with sutures and left in the abdomen.
Colostomy surgeries are often done as part of treatment for colon or rectal cancer. Other conditions that might cause you to need a colostomy include:
Colostomy vs. ileostomyA colostomy is a surgical procedure that reroutes the large intestine to an opening in the wall of the abdomen. An ileostomy is a similar procedure involving the small intestine.
Colostomy vs. ileostomy
A colostomy is a surgical procedure that reroutes the large intestine to an opening in the wall of the abdomen. An ileostomy is a similar procedure involving the small intestine.
A colostomy could either be temporary or permanent.
Temporary Colostomy
A temporary colostomy may be used when the part of the colon (typically the lower section) needs to heal, such as after trauma or surgery. After the colon is healed, the colostomy can be reversed, returning the bowel function to normal.
In a colostomy reversal, the two ends of the colon are reconnected and the area where the stoma was created in the abdomen is closed. The large intestine is made, once again, into a continuous tube between the small intestine and the rectum. Bowel movements are eliminated through the rectum.
What is a loop colostomy?A loop colostomy is a type of temporary colostomy. This procedure involves cutting a hole in the side of the colon and attaching it to a hole in the wall of the abdomen.
What is a loop colostomy?
A loop colostomy is a type of temporary colostomy. This procedure involves cutting a hole in the side of the colon and attaching it to a hole in the wall of the abdomen.
Permanent Colostomy
A permanent colostomy (sometimes also called an end colostomy) is necessary for some conditions, including about 15% of colon cancer cases. This type of surgery is commonly used when the rectum needs to be removed due to disease or cancer. Most of the colon may also be removed and the remaining portion used to create a stoma.
Can you live a long life with a colostomy bag?The life expectancy for someone with a colostomy bag is not usually less than it would have been without the bag. Studies suggest that between 50% and 90% of people who have had colostomies to treat colon cancer will go on to be disease-free for at least five years.
Can you live a long life with a colostomy bag?
The life expectancy for someone with a colostomy bag is not usually less than it would have been without the bag. Studies suggest that between 50% and 90% of people who have had colostomies to treat colon cancer will go on to be disease-free for at least five years.
A colostomy may be done as an open surgery or as a laparoscopic surgery. Open surgery involves a large incision, while laparoscopic surgery involves several smaller incisions. During laparoscopic surgery, your surgeon uses a small camera to visualize your colon.
Both open and laparoscopic surgeries are done under general anesthetic, but laparoscopic surgery typically involves a shorter recovery time and fewer complications.
There are several differenttypes of colostomy surgery:
Ascending
This colostomy has an opening created from the ascending colon and is created on the right side of the abdomen. Because the stoma is created from the first section of the colon, stool passed through the stoma is more liquid and contains digestive enzymes that irritate the skin. This type of colostomy surgery is the least common.
Transverse
This surgery may result in either one or two openings in the upper abdomen, middle, or right side that are created from the transverse colon. If there are two openings in the stoma (called a double-barrel colostomy), one is used to pass stool and the other is used to pass mucus. The stool that is eliminated through the stoma has passed through the ascending colon, so it tends to be liquid or semi-formed.
Descending or Sigmoid
In this surgery, the descending or sigmoid colon is used to create a stoma, typically on the left lower abdomen. This is the most common type of colostomy surgery and generally produces stool that is semi-formed to well-formed because it has passed through the ascending and transverse colon.
What happens to your anus after a colostomy?Depending on the procedure and your specific condition, your surgeon may leave your rectum and anus in place or they may remove it. If your anus is intact, you may have mucus discharge from it following colostomy surgery.
What happens to your anus after a colostomy?
Depending on the procedure and your specific condition, your surgeon may leave your rectum and anus in place or they may remove it. If your anus is intact, you may have mucus discharge from it following colostomy surgery.
A colostomy is major surgery and will require a hospital stay of at least several days and up to six weeks or more of recovery at home. Patients will receive instructions from the surgeon on how to prepare in the days leading up to surgery.
Preparing for Surgery
Your surgeon will give you instructions on how to prepare for your surgery, including medication use, the need for routine exams, and bowel prep.
Post Surgery
Directly before surgery, an IV will be placed to receive fluids and anesthetic. The surgery itself will last several hours.
Upon awakening in recovery, a colostomy bag will be attached to the abdomen over a new stoma and there may be one or more drainage tubes. Once vital signs (pulse, blood pressure, respiration) are stable, you will be moved to a hospital room.
What is a colostomy bag?A colostomy bag is a pouch that collects fecal matter on the outside of the body. It is attached to the stoma, which is an opening in the abdomen. You can choose from different types of bags depending on your personal needs and preferences.
What is a colostomy bag?
A colostomy bag is a pouch that collects fecal matter on the outside of the body. It is attached to the stoma, which is an opening in the abdomen. You can choose from different types of bags depending on your personal needs and preferences.
For the first few days after surgery, you will continue to receive pain medication through the IV. You will not be given food until your healthcare provider hears bowel sounds from your abdomen which indicates that the intestines are “waking up.”
Nurses will help you to get out of bed and sit in a chair or stand, usually a few days after surgery, depending on how your recovery is progressing. Standing and walking as soon as possible is very important, even though it will be uncomfortable.
After your provider hears bowel sounds and the stoma begins to function, the next step is to try to eat someclear liquids, such as broth, gelatin, and juice. If the clear fluids are tolerated well, your provider will let the staff know that your diet can progress to full liquids or solid food.
You should have a meeting with an ET nurse before leaving the hospital to learn more about taking care of a stoma and changing the ostomy appliance. You’ll learn where to obtain colostomy supplies and get any special instructions for recovery at home.
All surgeries come with a certain amount of risk. After a colostomy, it’s possible to experience complications such as:
What is the risk of a colostomy for older adults?Older adults are more likely to have chronic health conditions, which can make any kind of surgery more risky. They may also have more trouble regaining mobility after surgery. Because older adults can have difficulty chewing and swallowing, it may also be harder to maintain good nutrition following colostomy surgery.
What is the risk of a colostomy for older adults?
Older adults are more likely to have chronic health conditions, which can make any kind of surgery more risky. They may also have more trouble regaining mobility after surgery. Because older adults can have difficulty chewing and swallowing, it may also be harder to maintain good nutrition following colostomy surgery.
Recoveryat home can take two to four weeks, although it may be longer for patients who are very ill before surgery or who have complications. Activity will be restricted at first, and lifting, housework, and driving are not recommended, probably for about four weeks.
The hospital staff will givediet advicebefore you leave the hospital. Your diet may be restricted to low fiber.Regular appointments with your surgeon will help ensure that the abdomen and the area around the stoma are healing well.
You will learn how to take care of your stoma during the first few weeks of your recovery. An ET nurse will answer any questions and may help with the first fewbag changes. Expect a learning curve as you’re getting used to using and maintaining your bag.
The surgeon will give instructions about when it is time to resume regular activities at work, school, or home. If the colostomy is going to be reversed, the surgeon will help decide when that is possible based on your recovery and your personal schedule.
As you recover, your stoma is likely to become smaller. After the first six weeks, you should be able to resume normal activities, including most types of exercise, though you should limit exercises that involve the muscles of your abdomen for a few months post-surgery.
What can you not do with a colostomy?Most people can return to a normal life after a colostomy. You may need to make certain adjustments to your lifestyle; for example, you may want to wear a support belt if your profession requires a lot of heavy lifting. If your anus is intact, you should also avoid having anal sex as this can cause tearing.
What can you not do with a colostomy?
Most people can return to a normal life after a colostomy. You may need to make certain adjustments to your lifestyle; for example, you may want to wear a support belt if your profession requires a lot of heavy lifting. If your anus is intact, you should also avoid having anal sex as this can cause tearing.
Summary
A colostomy is a surgical procedure that involves removing part of the colon and creating a new opening in the body to pass stool. The stool is collected in a colostomy bag.
Colostomies are often done to treat colon or rectal cancer, but they may also be done for other conditions such as a bowel blockage or Crohn’s disease.
People with colostomy bags can go on to lead fairly normal lives. The procedure does not usually impact your lifespan.
10 Sources
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