Patients who have had surgical treatment for their colon or rectal cancer may require a colostomy.
Colostomy is a surgical procedure that brings the end of the large intestine through the abdominal wall. Stools moving through the intestine drain into a bag attached to the abdomen.
Colostomy is done while you are under general anaesthesia. It may be done with invasive, open surgery or several small surgical cuts (laparoscopically). For the colostomy, the end of the healthy colon is brought through the abdominal wall. The edges are stitched to the skin of the abdominal wall. A bag called a stoma appliance is secured around the opening to allow stool to drain.
Your colostomy may be short-term. If you have surgery on part of your large intestine, a colostomy will allow the remainder of your intestine to rest while you recover. Once your body has fully recovered from the initial surgery, you will have another surgery to reattach the ends of the large intestine.
An ileostomy is an opening in the abdominal wall that is made during surgery. The word ‘ileostomy’ comes from the words 'ileum' and 'stoma'. Your ileum is the lowest part of your small intestine. Stoma means 'opening'. Your ileum will pass through a stoma after surgery. Ileostomies are used to deliver waste out of the body when the colon or rectum are not working properly.
In the event that a colostomy is required, the following list of questions may assist in your discussion with your specialist, who is usually a colorectal surgeon.
Questions to ask your specialist regarding colostomy
- Will I require a colostomy?
- If I have a colostomy, will it be temporary or permanent?
- If I have a temporary colostomy, when will I have additional surgery to have the stoma removed?
- Will I be assigned a colostomy nurse to provide detailed information, answer questions and help me learn to manage it after the surgery?
- What type of colostomy will I have? (Colostomy vs. Ileostomy)
- Will I be required to change my diet?
- How will the colostomy be placed to minimise discomfort and inconvenience?
- Where will I order and receive the stoma bags from?
- How much do the stoma bags cost?
- How often will I have to change the bag?
- Can I swim with a stoma bag?
- Can I scuba dive with a stoma bag?
- Can I be sexually active with a colostomy?
- Can I still exercise with a colostomy?
- What is a good ointment to use to minimise any irritation to the stoma site?