Colostomy
A colostomy is a surgically created connection between the colon (part of the large intestines) and the abdominal wall.
What is a Colostomy?
A colostomy is a surgical procedure which connects the colon to the abdominal wall to form a stoma.
What is a Stoma?
A stoma is an artificially created hole in the abdomen which allows faeces to leave the body. A stoma may be permanent in the case of bowel cancer or serious injury, or it can be a temporary measure while the bowel recovers from events such as infection, inflammation or stab wounds.
What are the Common Reasons for a Colostomy?
Some diseases, such as bowel cancer, may require the surgical removal of diseased portions of the bowel. Other conditions which may require an colostomy include:
- bowel infections
- bowel inflammation
- diverticulitis
- Crohn's disease
- ulcerative colitis
- blocked bowel
- bowel cancer
- familial adenomatous polyposis (a pre-cancerous condition)
- serious injury to the bowel.
Further Information
For further information see the Queensland Health information sheet on Bowel Stomas.