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colostomy

(koh-LOS-toh-mee)
An opening into the colon from the outside of the body. A colostomy provides a new path for waste material to leave the body after part of the colon has been removed.
Three-panel drawing showing colon cancer surgery with colostomy; first panel shows the area of the colon with cancer, middle panel shows the cancer and nearby tissue removed and a stoma created, last panel shows a colostomy bag attached to the stoma.Enlarge this image in new window
Colon cancer surgery with colostomy. Part of the colon containing the cancer and nearby healthy tissue is removed, a stoma is created, and a colostomy bag is attached to the stoma.
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