Colostomy

Cutting Down the Colon

A surgery consisting in cutting down the colon, which is the last part of the intestine, is called a colostomy. The intestine is joined to the skin where a stomy is done, an opening made to evacuate fecal matters into apparel made up of a pouch and a flange with an efficient adhesive used making the pouch firmly attached to the skin.

This apparel is designed in order to not let odours going out. Sometimes, it contains products neutralizing the others. It is usually replaced every week. The content of the pouch is evacuated as needed, sometimes several times a day, using a clasp located at the bottom.

There are several types of colostomy. Some don't last forever and others are permanent. Depending on the cause of the surgery, the stomy can be made at different locations on the large intestine. Its location determines the type of colostomy required: ascendant, transverse, descendant or sigmoid.

Ascendant Colostomy

When a colostomy is at right of the colon, it is ascendant as it is located on the ascendant colon. Only a small part of the colon remains. In this case, feces are liquid or semi-liquid and content many digestive enzymes, which could irritate skin, especially surrounding the stomy.

Transverse Colostomy

If it is on the upper part of the abdomen, in the middle or on the right side of the body, it is a transverse colostomy as it is on the colon's traverse. This colostomy is characterised by liquid or non-consistent feces. As there contain few digestive enzymes, feces do not really irritate the skin.

When lower colon is in bad health, a transverse colostomy is made to give it a rest. Doing so, feces are evacuated without going in the descendant colon. In some cases, this situation might be temporary. If the lower colon needs to be removed or to get rest permanently, the colostomy is permanent.

Descendant Colostomy

If it is located at the left, it is called a descendant colostomy because it is located on the descendant colon. In this case, feces could be soft or relatively solid as they go through the first part of the colon, involving a better water absorption. It is the most frequent colostomy.

Sigmoid Colostomy

Sigmoid colostomy is made on the sigmoid colon. This type of colostomy helps the production of feces normally consistent.

At the opposite of an ileostomy, which is relatively far from skin in order to reduce irritation from feces, colostomy is at the skin level.

Colostomy may be mandatory in cases of cancers or intestine traumatisms. It may also originate from different illness like diverticulitis or ulcerative colitis for example. This surgery may also be made because of a genetic malformation

Stomized person comfort mainly depends on use of apparel adapted to his or her situation. An adaptation time is required to be comfortable with cares needed, and to change a few habits regarding food, activities, and clothes, couple relationships, etc.

This information is on a purely personal and non-medical basis.