A colostomy is a surgical procedure that brings one end of the large intestine out through the abdominal wall. During this procedure, one end of the colon is diverted through an incision in the abdominal wall to create a stoma. A stoma is the opening in the skin where a pouch for collecting feces is attached. People with temporary or long-term colostomies have pouches attached to their sides where feces collect and can be easily disposed of.

Colostomies aren’t always permanent, especially in children with birth defects.

A colostomy can be the result of one of several procedures to correct problems with the lower digestive tract. Other “ostomies” include ileostomy and urostomy. An ileostomy is a diversion of the bottom of the small intestine. A urostomy is a diversion of the tubes that carry urine out of the bladder.

A colostomy may also be referred to as bowel diversion therapy.

Why a Colostomy Is Performed

Colostomies are performed because of problems with the lower bowel. Some problems can be corrected by temporarily diverting stool away from the bowel. This is when temporary colostomies are used to keep stool out of the colon.

If the colon becomes diseased, as in the case of colon cancer, permanent colostomies are performed and the colon may be removed completely.

Conditions in which you may need a permanent colostomy include:

• a blockage
• an injury
• Crohn’s disease, which is an autoimmune form of inflammatory bowel disease
• colorectal cancer
• colonic polyps, which is extra tissue growing inside the colon that may be cancer or may turn into cancer
• diverticulitis, which occurs when small pouches in your digestive system, called diverticula, become infected or inflamed
• imperforate anus or other birth defects
• irritable bowel syndrome, which is a condition affecting the colon that causes diarrhea, bloating, constipation, and pain in the abdominal area
• ulcerative colitis, which is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes the long-term inflammation of the digestive tract

An ileostomy is a surgically made opening that connects your ileum to your abdominal wall. The ileum is the lower end of your small intestine. Through the abdominal wall opening, or stoma, the lower intestine is stitched into place. You may be given a pouch that you’ll wear externally. This pouch will collect all of your digested food.

This procedure is done if your rectum or colon can’t properly function.

if your ileostomy is temporary, your intestinal tract will be reattached inside your body once healing occurs.

For a permanent ileostomy, your surgeon removes or bypasses your rectum, colon, and anus. In this case, you’ll have a pouch that permanently collects your waste products. It may be internal or external.