Colostomy Stoma

Colostomy stoma

        A colostomy stoma surgical procedure is considered to be one of the most complicated and delicate surgeries in the world. It does have its good and bad sides, but mostly, it is known for one thing and one thing only: the colostomy stoma operation is life - saving. Basically, when a patient is suffering from lower colon, rectum or anus cancer, only a colostomy stoma will be able to allow him or her to continue their life as scheduled. There are other conditions in which the colostomy stoma can be part of the treatment scheme, including traumas (such as a gunshot wound or a stabbing wound) and accidents that affect the lower abdominal area (a fall on a hard surface or a direct hit to the abdomen). In the case of the later, the colostomy stoma might come as a surprise, but the patient should be made aware of the fact that it will not be permanent. It might take two to four months for the digestive system to heal completely from a stabbing wound, for example, but afterwards, everything can go back to normal. However, if the patient suffers from any form of digestive cancer, the colostomy stoma will, most likely, be a permanent one. Thus, the person needs to learn how to deal with it on a daily basis.

       So, what are the steps taken to reach the conclusion that a colostomy stoma might be the only option for you? Well, first there is the diagnosis. While in the case of an ileostomy stoma, the diagnosis can be placed rather quickly if the patient is in serious pain, especially in the abdominal area, for a colostomy stoma to be even considered, it takes time and tests. Usually and unfortunately, time that the patient rarely even has. The tests needed to confirm the cancer diagnosis are both invasive and not invasive. The invasive kind is the one used more often due to its rapidity. After the diagnosis is set in stone, the brainstorming can begin. Of course, the physician will offer the patient various choices for the treatment scheme. However, most of them will include, at some point, sooner rather than later, a colostomy stoma.

       Physically, the steps in performing the surgery are best left to be explained thoroughly by the surgical team, but in plain words, the operation should go a bit like this: after the surgeon opens up the abdomen and looks for the damaged parts of your intestine, he or she will create a hole in your abdominal muscles. This hole is the colostomy stoma, whose only purpose remains that of eliminating the wastes that your body produces. In essence, this is not a by - pass surgery, since, in most cases, there is nothing left to avoid. Basically, the stoma is the patients' new anus and the stoma bag that is attached to it is the one that contains the wastes.

       After the surgery has been finalized, the patient will have to spend two to four weeks in the hospital, under careful medical supervision. This serves a dual purpose: for one, the stoma nurse and your physician will help you understand how to work your stoma apparatus and everything else you need to know, from how to eat to how to bathe. The second purpose of your stay in hospital is for the physician to check on you daily and for you to begin your healing in a controlled environment. Once the medic thinks that you should be released, you can go home. It is recommended for the patient to not spend the first few weeks of his or her convalescence alone, because they might find themselves in pain or depressed. However, once they overcome these trying first months, everything should be going back to normal.