An ostomy is an opening or “stoma” in the abdomen that is created via surgical procedure to allow waste to exit the body following bowel surgery. This opening may be permanent or temporary depending upon the reason it is created. When part of the colon or rectum has to be removed, this operation is called a colostomy. Here, what remains of the colon after the resection has taken place is attached to the abdominal wall at the location where the “stoma” has been created. In the most frequently performed type of ostomy surgery, the tail end of the sigmoid colon is attached to an opening in the abdomen’s lower left side. A stoma is not required in J-Pouch or Kock pouch surgery, which are ileostomy procedures in which an internal reservoir for waste is created to allow the patient to expend waste as a normal bowel movement rather than having to use an external colostomy bag.
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