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False /oidc-signin/en-gb/ Convatec Group Contact Us България България Bosna i Hercegovina Bosna i Hercegovina Česko Česko Danmark Danmark Österreich Österreich Schweiz (Deutsch) Schweiz (Deutsch) Deutschland Deutschland Ελλάδα Ελλάδα United Kingdom United Kingdom Ireland Ireland España España Eesti Eesti Suomi Suomi Suisse (Français) Suisse (Français) France France Hrvatska Hrvatska Magyarország Magyarország Ísland Ísland Italia Italia Lietuva Lietuva Latvija Latvija Северна Македонија Северна Македонија Malta Malta Norge Norge België België Nederland Nederland Polska Polska România România Slovensko Slovensko Slovenija Slovenija Srbija Srbija Sverige Sverige Türkiye Türkiye Україна Україна Brasil Brasil United States (English) United States (English) Estados Unidos (Español) Estados Unidos (Español) Argentina Argentina Canada Canada Chile Chile Colombia Colombia Ecuador Ecuador México México Perú Perú Belize Belize Guyana Guyana Jamaica Jamaica Venezuela Venezuela Costa Rica Costa Rica Curaçao Curaçao República Dominicana República Dominicana Guatemala Guatemala Honduras Honduras Nicaragua Nicaragua Panamá Panamá Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Suriname Suriname El Salvador El Salvador الإمارات العربية المتحدة الإمارات العربية المتحدة البحرين البحرين مصر مصر ישראל ישראל ایران ایران الأردن الأردن عُمان عُمان قطر قطر پاکستان پاکستان لبنان لبنان الكويت الكويت المملكة العربية السعودية المملكة العربية السعودية Suid-Afrika Suid-Afrika العراق العراق New Zealand New Zealand 日本 日本 Australia Australia India India Malaysia Malaysia Singapore Singapore 대한민국 대한민국 中国大陆 中国大陆 中国台湾 中国台湾 ไทย ไทย Indonesia Indonesia Việt Nam Việt Nam Philippines Philippines Hong Kong SAR China (English) Hong Kong SAR China (English) 中国香港特别行政区 (中文(简体,中国香港特别行政区)) 中国香港特别行政区 (中文(简体,中国香港特别行政区))

Colostomy Surgery

A colostomy is created out of the end of the large intestine to divert waste from your digestive system. After you have this surgery, you will pass waste through a stoma that is located on your abdomen.
The location of your colostomy is determined by the location of the damaged portion of your colon or to divert stool from a wound in the perianal area. The pictures below demonstrate the different areas in which a colostomy can be placed. Depending on placement and reason for the stoma, these can be permanent or temporary.1

Ascending Colostomy

  • In the ascending (vertical section, on your right) colon
  • Uncommon type of colostomy
  • Stool is liquid to semi-liquid

Ascending Colostomy

Transverse Colostomy

  • In the transverse (horizontal section, across the abdomen) colon
  • Stool is liquid to semi-formed
  • Usually constructed as a loop
  • Usually temporary

Transverse Colostomy

Descending Colostomy

  • In the descending (vertical section, on your left) colon
  • A more common type of colostomy
  • Stool is semi-formed 1

Descending Colostomy

Sigmoid Colostomy

  • In the lower left portion of the large intestine on your left, just before the rectum
  • Stool is formed 1

Sigmoid Colostomy

More in Before Surgary

Before Surgery

Before surgery

Before Surgery

Here you can learn about ostomy surgery and prepare you with helpful questions to ask your doctor or nurse.

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Before Surgery

Preparing for Stoma surgery

Preparing for Stoma Surgery

Stoma surgery can be scary, but you’re in good company. We can help you get ready—physically and mentally.

Learn more

Ostomy Types

Colostomy Surgery

Colostomy Surgery

A colostomy is created out of the end of the large intestine to divert waste from your digestive system.

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Ostomy Types

Ileostomy Surgery

Ileostomy Surgery

An ileostomy is created out of the ileum (small intestine) and requires some particular but simple attention to keep you comfortable and healthy.

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Ostomy Products

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Esteem+ Flex and Soft Convex

Esteem™+ Flex and Soft Convex are part of the Esteem™+ one-piece convex portfolio which offers a range of products designed to address different stoma shapes and sizes.

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Ostomy Types

Urostomy Surgery

Urostomy Surgery

A urostomy is a type of surgery which enables urine to exit the body through a stoma after removal of a diseased or damaged portion of your urinary tract.

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Before Surgery

How is a stoma surgically created

How is a stoma surgically created

All stomas are not created equal. They vary in size, shape, location and construction.

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Before Surgery

At Your Pre-Surgery Visit

At Your Pre-Surgery Visit

Like most people who are preparing for ostomy surgery, you may be wondering what to expect.

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Before Surgery

In the hospital

In the hospital

Stoma placement may also be discussed in your pre-surgery visit. If your surgeon does not discuss stoma placement with you, we encourage you to ask about it before surgery.

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Getting Back Into Life

Patient

Immediate Weeks Following Surgery

When you are in the hospital, you will be taught how to care for your stoma.

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1. Corona, L. Adams, K. Ostomy.org. Living with a Colostomy. Accessed Nov 2022. https://www.ostomy.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/UOAA_Living_with_a_Colostomy_Guide-2022-11.pdf

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