Diplomate, American Board of Surgery
Diplomate, American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery
Fellow, American College of Surgeons
Fellow, American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
Honorary Fellow, Philippine Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
Honorary Member, Surgical Section Serbian Medical Association
Dr. Maher Abbas is an American Board Certified Colon and Rectal Surgeon who performs the latest and most advanced procedures to treat conditions affecting the small intestine, colon, rectum, and anus. He is a leader in minimally invasive and endoscopic surgery. With over 18,000 operations and procedures experience, he provides state of the art treatment to his patients.
A colostomy (referred to as stoma) is a piece of colon that is brought through the skin to provide the body with an alternative way to eliminate the waste of digestion. Patients with medical conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, or emergency bowel surgery can require colostomy as part of their treatment. Its main purpose is to divert the fecal stream. For some patients a colostomy is used as a permanent treatment but for some it is a temporary measure which is reversed at a later phase. There are 2 types of colostomy: end colostomy [Figure 1] and loop colostomy [Figure 2].
Figure 1- End Colostomy
Figure 2- Loop Colostomy
When a colostomy is in place, the stool comes out through it instead of the anus. In most patients, the output from a colostomy is formed and similar in consistency to stool. If a colostomy is created using the ascending or transverse colon, the output can be softer and more liquid in the early recovery period [Figure 3]. Ensuring a proper fit of the appliance to collect the waste is an important part of your care. Failure to properly care for your stoma on a daily basis can lead to skin irritation. While a colostomy is a life changing event, the majority of patients learn how to effectively manage their stoma and after a period of psychological and physical adaptation they can lead successful and productive lives.
Figure 3- Various Parts of the Large Bowel
To learn more about the following topics, see Colostomy Care:
