Colostomy Info

A Colostomy is a surgical procedure that bypasses the intestinal tract therefore producing an alternate track for Bowell movements.   This is required when there is disease or damage to the gastrointestinal tract. This procedure involves the connection of a section of the colon to an opening in the skin of the abdomen. A Stoma is the opening which allows the waste to drain. The waste then drains into a pouch called a colostomy pouch. A Colostomy can be temporary or permanent depending on the intent. If the intent is temporary, the colostomy can be reversed when the intestine is healed. In these cases the Stoma would closed.   In a colostomy, the surgeon will cut away the diseases or damaged part of the colon. The more colon that can be used will lead to the more solidity of the stool. 

Patients with Chrohn's disease or Ulcerative Colitis experience discomfort and sudden urges to pass stool. A colostomy

A colostomy can be permanent or temporary.   In intestinal surgeries where healing is needed, the drainage of waster can be re-routed away from the surgical site to allow recovery.  Once the intestines are functioning properly again, the colostomy is reversed and the stoma closed.   

A colostomy may be needed in severe cases of bowel disease, such as Chrohn's disease or Ulcerative Colitis.  Because the colon functions so poorly, patients experience extreme discomfort and unpredictable urges to pass stool.   If conservative treatments do not improve the situation, a colostomy can provide significant relief of symptoms.