A colostomy is a kind of surgery, used to treat many digestive diseases, like colon cancer, Crohn’s disease, intestinal obstruction, birth defects, and diverticulitis. Before surgery, people might afraid of the idea of dissection of the large intestine and having a new organ in the belly wall. However, the truth is it gives a greater quality of life to a patient. It saves the life of a person. Hence, the removal of the infected part or the entire colon (the large intestine), called a colostomy. It passes the solid waste of the body or feces through the artificial organ, called a stoma. It is a round hole in the abdomen of the patient, which works as an anus. It excretes the stool out of the body into a bag, called an ostomy or stoma pouch.
In the colostomy, the opening or stoma has been made through the incision of the colon. Surgeons remove the infected part of the large intestine and bring the remaining healthy section to the outer side of the abdomen. Through this surgery, doctors eliminate the entire disease in one go. They leave the functioning and uninfected part of the digestive system. Due to this, a patient lives a healthy life, the only change is the passage of discharge. They cannot use the anal track to pass the stool. The waste will travel from the colon to the stoma. It will collect the feces into a bag attached to it, called a colostomy pouch or stoma pouch.
Well, colostomy has several types. The kinds depend on the disease and infected part of the colon. Moreover, the stoma after the treatment of the colon can be permanent or temporary. Sometimes it is for the rest of the life of a patient; however, for a few of you, it will be for some months.
Temporary Colostomy
Temporary colostomy happens when a lower part of the colon needs removal and treatment. After an injury during an accident or fight or trauma, the colon needs healing through the colostomy method. Therefore, it will be for a few months, or until it gets healed. After healing, surgeons reverse the process, change the path of the colon, bring it back to the anus, and closes the stoma.
Permanent Colostomy
A permanent colostomy needs to occur when the disease in the large intestine is chronic or serious. Then, it requires permanent removal of the infected bowel or colon. In the cases f IBD, colon cancer, rectum cancer, and diverticulitis, a patient goes through the permanent removal of the colon. Then, the stoma in the abdomen of the ostomate is permanent. He/she cannot discharge the stool through the anus, a patient will have to use a stoma to excrete the solid waste.
Types of Colostomy Surgery
When it comes to types of colon surgery, there are several depending on the part of the large intestine. They include:
- Ascending colostomy.
- Transverse colostomy.
- Descending or Sigmoid colostomy.
Colostomy Surgery
This is a major operation; thus, it needs a few pre-operative sessions and stays at the hospital for two or three weeks after the operation. You will need the support of the ET nurse at the clinic because it is something you cannot handle right after the treatment. You need guidance and assistance to take care of your stoma and diet. Thus, doctors and nurses will teach you all about the opening in the pre-operative meeting. Moreover, you can support yourself alone at home if you listen to the ET nurse instructions.
Some patients need less time and a few take more than 4 weeks, it depends on the kind of colostomy and disease. A stoma in the abdomen is a big change in a patient’s life; therefore, you will have to learn a lot and need to take care of opening, diet, routine, and lifestyle.
Ileostomies Health 