Colostomy
It is an operation that takes place when there is
a disease, infection, blockage, or injury in the colon (large intestine). The
surgeon takes out the infected part of the large intestine (colon) and brings
the remaining uninfected section of the colon to the abdomen. In this surgery,
a patient cannot discharge the stool through the anus. After this incision, a
colostomy person has to excrete the solid waste through the opening, created in
the belly wall, called a stoma.
The procedure of Colostomy Surgery
A colostomy happens when there is a bowel disease
or injury. This can be permanent and temporary, it depends on the infection,
blockage, and severity of the disease. Before an operation, a patient has to go
to the hospital for a pre-operative session. In this meeting doctors and nurses
clear all the necessary points regarding the disease, surgery, type of
colostomy, care, and risks. You must attend this session because this will
clear out your all doubts and queries. Moreover, you can ask surgeons multiple questions
about your condition, recovery time, diet, previous routine, and work. However,
after this meeting, you go again to the hospital on the day of surgery. A nurse
gives you anesthesia before the operation starts. Once you get unconscious, the
surgeon starts the procedure of colostomy. First, the nurse marks a spot for
the opening. The doctor creates the opening and starts the further process.
There are two main types of colostomy surgery.
1. Loop colostomy.
2. End colostomy.
Loop Colostomy
In a loop colostomy, surgeons cut a hole in the
sides of the clon and stitch the corresponding hole in the belly. This is a
temporary process. The reversal of the large intestine to the anus is easy.
End Colostomy
In the end colostomy, doctors cut the infected
end of the colon, they attach the remaining part of the large intestine to the
opening and stitch the edges of the colon.
Both colostomies serve the same purpose. After
the surgery, a patient discharges the stool either liquid or solid through the
stoma, which collects in a bag, called an ostomy pouch or bag.
Reasons for the Colostomy
A patient needs colostomy due to several diseases
and infections. Here are a few of them:
·
Imperforate anus.
·
A blockage or infection in
the anus during giving birth.
·
Inflammatory bowel disease
(IBD).
·
Inflammation of little sacs
in the colon.
·
Diverticulitis.
·
Serious infection in the
large intestine.
·
Injuring in the colon or
rectum due to a road accident or fight.
·
Blockage in the large
intestine (partial or full).
·
Colon cancer.
·
Rectum cancer.
·
Bowel infection.
·
Wound in the anal tract.
·
Fistulas.
Digestive System After Colostomy
A colostomy surgery only changes the path of
discharge of solid waste. It does not affect the digestive system and its
process. Your food from the mouth goes to the stomach through the esophagus.
Then, the stomach grinds the food through enzymes. From there, it goes to the
small intestine. In this section, the ileum absorbs the necessary nutrients and
elements. Then, the wasted matter goes to the large intestine for excretion.
The feces stays there for the next bowel movement. Once a person feels the
bowel movement, it goes to the stoma through the colon. You do not discharge
the stool through the anus. Instead of the anal tract, the feces comes out
through the stoma.
Risks of the Colostomy Surgery
Colostomy brings the biggest change in your
physical appearance. The mark or opening in the abdomen is not a normal thing.
Moreover, the new passage of discharging stool would be problematic in the
initial days of the surgery. It will give you pain and emotional imbalance in
the first few months. However, apart from the mental stability and physical
changes, it may bring a few risks. These are:
·
Bleeding through the stoma.
·
Infection in internal organs
and stoma.
·
Damaged peristomal skin.
·
Scar tissues.
·
Intestinal blockage.
