Colostomy

4-minute read

What is a colostomy?

A colostomy is surgery to bring part of the large intestine (the colon) to the surface of the body to form a stoma, an artificial opening on the outside of the abdomen (tummy). Waste from the colon is then collected using a small bag called a stoma pouch.

Why is the procedure performed?

The colon is the first 1 to 1.5 metres of your large intestine. It absorbs water and nutrients from your poo (faeces) and passes the remaining waste to the rectum.

If your colon, rectum or anus do not work properly, surgery can create another way to get rid of waste from your body. A colostomy allows faeces and gas to leave your body via the stoma.

A colostomy may be carried out if you have:

an infection in your abdomen, such as perforated diverticulitis or an abscess
an injury to the colon or rectum
a blockage of the large bowel (intestinal obstruction)
rectal or colon cancer
wounds or fistulas in the perineum (the area between the anus and vulva in women) or the anus and scrotum in men

illustration of a colostomy — Large intestine, colostomy and stoma

How to prepare for the procedure

A colostomy is done under general anaesthetic. If you need to have the procedure done, you will need to stop eating or taking medicines before the surgery. Follow your doctor’s instructions, and do not stop taking any medicines without talking to them first.

Make sure you discuss where on your body the stoma will be and how to manage it afterwards. You may also be able to meet with a stomal therapy nurse before the surgery. They specialise in caring for patients who have a stoma and will be able to answer your questions.

What happens during the procedure?

There are 2 different types of colostomy surgery:

End colostomy: If part of the colon or rectum is removed, the remaining colon is brought to the surface of the abdomen to make a stoma. This can be permanent, or temporary if the bowel needs time to rest and heal. If it is temporary, the ends of the bowel will be joined together again later.

Loop colostomy: A loop of bowel is outside the body and held in place by a stoma rod. The surgeon then makes a cut in the loop and the ends are rolled back and sown into the skin. This is usually temporary.

What to expect after the procedure

If you had a colostomy, you can expect to be in hospital for 3 to 7 days, or longer if the colostomy was done as an emergency procedure.

You will not be able to eat normally at first because your colon needs time to heal. The first day you can suck on ice chips (small pieces of ice, usually smaller than ice cubes); the next day you may be able to drink clear liquids; and then you can gradually start having thicker liquids and soft foods. You should be able to eat normally after a couple of days.

The stomal therapy nurse will see you after the surgery to show you how to manage the stoma. You will need to learn how to clean it and change the bag.

After you go home, you can order new bags from your pharmacy, doctor or a home delivery company. You can contact the stomal therapy nurse at any time if you have problems, so make sure you have their contact details.

The Australian Government’s Stoma Appliance Scheme subsidises the costs of products for Australians who have a stoma. You need to apply to Services Australia through your local stoma association and have medical authorisation from a doctor or stomal therapy nurse. Australian stoma associations are listed on the Department of Health website.