Word parts
What it means
Surgery makes an opening (a stoma) where the end of the colon is sewn to the skin of the belly. Stool then drains into a bag worn over the stoma. It may be temporary, to let the bowel heal, or permanent, as after removal of the rectum. Stool from a colostomy lower in the colon is more formed than from one higher up.
For the nurse
A healthy stoma is moist and pink to red; report one that is pale, dark, dusky or black. Cut the skin barrier to fit closely around the stoma, protect the skin, and empty the pouch when it is about one-third to one-half full. Support the client's body image and teach self-care.
At a glance
| Spanish | colostomía |
|---|---|
| Also written | colostomies |
Easy to confuse with
colectomy
Surgery to remove all or part of the colon.
Related terms
col/o
A word root that means colon, the large intestine.
ulcerative colitis
A long-term inflammatory bowel disease that affects the inner lining of the colon and rectum.
colectomy
Surgery to remove all or part of the colon.
bowel
The intestine: the long tube of the digestive tract from the stomach to the anus.