Colostomy

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Colostomy - series

Intestinal opening

The colostomy functions to drain stool (feces) from the colon into the colostomy bag. Most colostomy stool is softer and more liquid than stool that is passed normally. The degree of liquidity of the stool depends on the location of the intestinal segment used to form the colostomy.

Recovery from this type of surgery is mostly related to the condition or procedure for which the colostomy was performed. Most patients are started on a special diet within 48 hours of surgery. Learning to care for the colostomy and the ostomy appliance will be necessary.

Review Date: 01/18/2007
Reviewed By: Melvin Sidney Dassinger, III, MD, Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee, Memphis, TN. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.