Colostomy is a surgical procedure that brings the end of the large intestine through the abdominal wall. Stools moving through the intestine drain into a bag attached to the abdomen.

The procedure is usually done after bowel resections or injuries and it may be temporary or permanent.

Colostomy is done while you are under general anesthesia (unconscious and pain-free). It may be done with invasive, open surgery or several small surgical cuts (laparoscopically).

The type of approach used depends on what othe operation needs to be performed. In general, the incision (cut) is made in the abdomen. The bowel resection or repair is performed as needed. See also: Large bowel resection and Intestinal obstruction repair.

For the colostomy, the end of the healthy colon is brought through the abdominal wall. The edges are stitched to the skin of the abdominal wall. A bag called a stoma appliance is secured around the opening to allow stool to drain.

Your colostomy may be short-term. If you have surgery on part of your large intestine, a colostomy will allow the remainder of your intestine to rest for a while while you recover. Once your body has fully recovered from the initial surgery, you will have another surgery to reattach the ends of the large intestine.

There are a number of reasons to perform a colostomy:

• Infection of the abdomen, such as perforated diverticulitis or an abscess
• Injury to the colon or rectum (for example, a gunshot wound)
• Partial or complete blockage of the large bowel (intestinal obstruction)
• Rectal or colon cancer
• Wounds or fistulas in the perineum -- the area between the anus and vulva (women) or the anus and scrotum (men)

Whether a colostomy is temporary or permanent depends on the specific disease or injury. In most instances, colostomies can be reversed.