What is a colostomy?

A colostomy is a surgical procedure that involves creating an artificial opening in the abdominal wall to allow for the excretion of waste from the colon. This is done when the normal pathway of the intestines is disrupted due to various medical conditions or injuries. The procedure reroutes the bowel to this new opening, typically called a stoma, allowing stool to exit the body into a colostomy bag, rather than through the rectum.

The colostomy is often necessary in situations such as colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, or traumatic injury to the colon, where the surgeon needs to bypass an obstructed or damaged section of the intestines. This opening is essential for maintaining health and managing waste when normal bowel function is not possible.

The other options represent different surgical operations that are unrelated to the function of a colostomy. Removal of the gallbladder pertains to gallbladder issues, while repairing the intestine involves correcting structural problems, and the procedure for gallstone removal focuses specifically on removing stones rather than creating an excretory opening.