Colostomy Surgery Options

Hospital Clinica Biblica in San Jose, Costa Rica

Colostomy Surgery abroad through WorldMed Assist is affordable through our partnerships with state of the art hospitals abroad. Medically trained case managers provide patient advocacy to ensure you receive the best medical care available for your procedure. Hospitals, officially recognized by the Joint Commission International (JCI), are thoroughly investigated prior to selection. Your procedure, including travel to and from the destination hospital, is managed by registered nurses from beginning to conclusion, guaranteeing you the optimum experience.

Most importantly, we provide you with a personal touch from start until well after your return home.

Options for quality Colostomy Surgery abroad
include:

• Colostomy Surgery in Mexico
• Colostomy Surgery in Costa Rica
• Colostomy Surgery in Turkey
• Colostomy Surgery in India

We also provide information on costs:

• Cost of Colostomy Surgery

What is a colostomy?

A colostomy is major surgery that creates an opening (known as a “stoma”) in the colon to permit waste to exit outside the body into a pouch attached to the abdomen.
Generally, in a colostomy, part of or the entire colon is removed.

A colostomy may be permanent or temporary, depending on the medical condition that has necessitated the surgery.
A temporary colostomy is to allow the colon to rest after surgery.
In time, the two sections of the colon will be reconnected and the bowels will work in the normal fashion.
A permanent colostomy is customarily performed when the rectum or most of the colon is removed.

A colostomy may be necessary to treat medical conditions such as:

• Colon cancer
• Diverticulitis
• Crohn’s Disease
• Colon obstruction
• Birth defects

There are different types of colostomies:

• Ascending: This is the least common type of colostomy.
  A stoma is made in the first section of colon, the ascending colon, on the right abdomen. The skin is easily irritated with this kind of stoma because the stool contains digestive enzymes and is mostly liquid.
• Transverse:
  Two separate stomas are created in this form of colostomy.
  These stomas can be located in the upper abdomen, middle or right side.
  One stoma is for the evacuation of stool waste and the other stoma is to allow mucus to drain.
  The stool is liquid to semi-formed.
  This is often a temporary colostomy.
• Descending or Sigmoid: The stomas are located on the descending or sigmoid portion of the colon.
  The stomas are usually created on the left lower abdomen.
  Stool is semi-formed to fully formed.
  A descending or sigmoid colostomy is the most commonly performed permanent colostomy surgery.

Approximately 42,000 to 65,000 ostomy surgeries are performed each year.
Half of these surgeries are temporary.

Colostomy surgery

A colostomy is performed under general anesthetic.
You will be unconscious and not feel any pain.

You may have a tube inserted through your nose into your stomach.
This tube removes gas and prevents nausea and vomiting.
It is possible a urinary catheter will also be used.

A colostomy can be carried out as open surgery or laparoscopically (several small surgical incisions are used to insert an instrument called a laparoscope which views and completes the operation).

Regardless of the method of surgery, the surgeon will remove the part or all of the colon that is diseased or malfunctioning.
The healthy end of the colon will be brought to an abdominal opening made by incision and sewn to your abdominal skin.
You may have drainage tubes in your incision.

After surgery, you go into the recovery room for monitoring until the anesthetic has worn off.
You will then be taken to your hospital room.

Risks associated with a colostomy are:

• Hernia
• Stomal tissue death
• Narrowing of the stoma opening
• The stoma retracts to inside your abdomen or even with the abdominal surface
• The stoma extends beyond the abdominal opening
• Pneumonia
• Infection
• Excessive bleeding
• Pulmonary embolism

There are risks connected to general anesthetic as well.
Consultation with your doctor about all the risks of undergoing a colostomy is strongly recommended.

Preparation for a colostomy

You may undergo a series of tests prior to your surgery.
These may include:

• Colonoscopy
• X-rays
• Electrocardiograph
• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• General physical examination

Your doctor may ask you to stop or adjust your current medications before or during the time of your surgery.
You should provide your specialist with a complete list of all medications and supplements you are taking.

You may meet with an enterostomal therapist to decide where the stoma will be located, for education on stoma care after surgery and information about living with a stoma.

A bowel-cleansing regime to empty your bowels will be necessary in the days just prior to surgery.
This is required for surgery.

You might be given a prescription for antibiotics to take before the surgery to remove bacteria from your bowels and prevent infections.

Colostomy recovery

You will be kept in hospital for up to one week.
The first days after surgery, you will only be permitted fluids through an IV until your bowels begin functioning.
The nurse will assist you to walk or stand as early as possible.
Pain medication will be supplied.

Once your stoma starts to work, you will be allowed clear fluids with a steady progression to solid food.

You will be taught about colostomy care and supplies while in the hospital.

After discharge from the hospital, you can expect a six-week recovery at home.

Dietary counseling may be advised to help your bowel function.
As well, psychological counseling may be appropriate.
Many patients find it emotionally distressing to wear a colostomy pouch and feel it will interfere with many aspects of their life.

After a period of adjustment, most patients become accustomed to the colostomy and lead fulfilled lives.