emotionally. The patient and his family will learn that a colostomy can be effectively
managed to allow a full and active life.
f. There are several different surgical procedures that create different types of
colostomies. The procedure used will depend upon the nature of the disease, the
desired end result (temporary or permanent), and the physician's preference, among
other things. For example:
Figure 1-5. Colostomy sites.
(1) Two stoma openings can be created at the abdominal surface (double
barrel). One serves as a temporary artificial anus for the functioning part of the
gastrointestinal tract, discharging feces, and flatus. The second opening leads to the
nonfunctioning part of the colon and rectum. Mucous or serous secretions are normally
discharged from this opening. This opening may also be utilized for irrigation of the
resting colon. This procedure would be utilized when the colostomy is temporary. Later
surgery would involve closing the stomas with re-anastomosis of the bowel.
(2) A single colostomy may be done at one of the sites illustrated in figure 1-
5. The site chosen normally depends upon the portion of the bowel that must be
removed. The colostomy site is created at a section of healthy bowel. The bowel distal
to the colostomy is removed and the rectum surgically closed.
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