Information Provided by ConvaTec®
The Human Digestive System
The digestion and absorption of nutrients, as well as the storage and elimination of fecal waste, take place within the gastrointestinal system, or the GI tract. Digestion starts in the mouth as you chew your food. Food then passes through the esophagus to be digested in the stomach. Partially digested food moves into the small intestine, where nutrients are absorbed. The remaining undigested portion solidifies as water is reabsorbed in the large intestine, or colon, forming solid fecal matter, or stool. Stool is then passed to the rectum, where it is stored until it is excreted through the anus.
Understanding Colostomy Surgery
A colostomy is a surgically-created opening in the abdomen through which a small portion of the colon is brought up to the surface of the skin. This new opening, called a stoma, allows stool to pass directly out of the body, bypassing a diseased or damaged section of the colon. In some patients, this section may be removed.
After colostomy surgery, your stool will pass through your stoma , the opening on your abdomen, and empty into a pouch.
Since you will no longer have voluntary control over bowel movements, it is important that you understand the consistency and frequency of discharge unique to your particular type of colostomy. These vary depending on the location of the colostomy within the colon.
There are four main types of colostomies, named after the portion of the bowel where the colostomy is located.
An Ascending Colostomy is located within the ascending colon.
Output is liquid to semiliquid, rich in digestive enzymes and irritating to the skin around the stoma.
A Transverse Colostomy is located within the transverse colon.
Output is usually liquid to semiformed, because digestive enzyme content decreases as the stoma moves farther to the left of the transverse colon.
A Descending Colostomy is located within the descending colon.
Output is semiformed to formed, because much of the water is absorbed as waste moves through the ascending and transverse colons.
A Sigmoid Colostomy is located within the sigmoid colon.
Output has a normal, formed consistency, since the water is absorbed as the waste passes through the remaining large bowel.