A colostomy is a surgical procedure that removes most or all of the colon leaving the patient with an opening on their abdominal wall called a stoma. This opening is formed from a tail of the large intestine drawn out throuth the incision and folded over.
Feces now leave the patient's body through this opening, and collect in a bag attached to the patient's belly.
Last updated: 05-06-2005 01:27:49