A surgery consisting in
cutting down the colon, which is the last part of the
intestine, is called a colostomy. The intestine is
joined to the skin where a stomy is done, an opening
made to evacuate fecal matters into apparel made up
of a pouch and a flange with an efficient adhesive
used making the pouch firmly attached to the skin.
This apparel is designed in order to not let odours
going out. Sometimes, it contains products neutralizing
the others. It is usually replaced every week. The
content of the pouch is evacuated as needed, sometimes
several times a day, using a clasp located at the bottom.
There are several types of colostomy. Some don't last
forever and others are permanent. Depending on the
cause of the surgery, the stomy can be made at different
locations on the large intestine. Its location determines
the type of colostomy required: ascendant, transverse,
descendant or sigmoid.
When a colostomy is at right of the colon, it is ascendant
as it is located on the ascendant colon. Only a small
part of the colon remains. In this case, feces are
liquid or semi-liquid and content many digestive enzymes,
which could irritate skin, especially surrounding the
stomy.
If it is on the upper part of the abdomen, in the
middle or on the right side of the body, it is a transverse
colostomy as it is on the colon's traverse. This colostomy
is characterised by liquid or non-consistent feces.
As there contain few digestive enzymes, feces do not
really irritate the skin.
When lower colon is in bad health, a transverse colostomy
is made to give it a rest. Doing so, feces are evacuated
without going in the descendant colon. In some cases,
this situation might be temporary. If the lower colon
needs to be removed or to get rest permanently, the
colostomy is permanent.
If it is located at the left, it is called a descendant
colostomy because it is located on the descendant colon.
In this case, feces could be soft or relatively solid
as they go through the first part of the colon, involving
a better water absorption. It is the most frequent
colostomy.
Sigmoid colostomy is made on the sigmoid colon. This
type of colostomy helps the production of feces normally
consistent.
At the opposite of an ileostomy, which is relatively
far from skin in order to reduce irritation from feces,
colostomy is at the skin level.
Colostomy may be mandatory in cases of cancers or
intestine traumatisms. It may also originate from different
illness like diverticulitis or ulcerative colitis for
example. This surgery may also be made because of a
genetic malformation
Stomized person comfort mainly depends on use of apparel
adapted to his or her situation. An adaptation time
is required to be comfortable with cares needed, and
to change a few habits regarding food, activities,
and clothes, couple relationships, etc.
This information is on a purely
personal and non-medical basis.
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