Colostomy, Surgery FAQ

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Managing Diarrhea After Colorectal Surgery: Tips and Treatment Options

Colorectal issues, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) In the past, I often experienced diarrhea due to exam-related anxiety during my school years. Later, in my early twenties, I underwent a colostomy due to rectal cancer, with the stoma located approximately between the ascending co...


Dr. Ke Fangxu Reply:
It is normal to experience frequent bowel movements as a postoperative complication after rectal cancer surgery. This is due to the shortening of the rectum, which reduces the capacity for stool storage. Besides taking medications to control the frequency of bowel movements, ther...

[Read More] Managing Diarrhea After Colorectal Surgery: Tips and Treatment Options


Post-Surgery Discomfort: Managing Pain After Rectal Cancer Treatment

Postoperative care for colorectal cancer? In March and April of 2023, I noticed mucus during bowel movements. Considering that my father had suffered from colon cancer, I carefully decided to visit a gastroenterologist near my home. Following the doctor's advice, I scheduled...


Dr. Yu Mingchang Reply:
You can visit the outpatient clinic for evaluation.

[Read More] Post-Surgery Discomfort: Managing Pain After Rectal Cancer Treatment


Why Do Patients with Colostomy Still Feel Urgency at the Anus?

Why does a person with a colostomy still experience the urge to defecate from the original anus? Hello, doctor. I had surgery on December 1st to remove a tumor near my anus, but it was attached to a blood vessel, so it couldn't be removed. Instead, I had a colostomy (on the ...


Dr. Zhang Shuhao Reply:
It is normal to still experience the urge to defecate after undergoing ostomy surgery. This is because the effectiveness of the ostomy in diverting stool can vary depending on posture or the size of the stoma. Additionally, the remaining segment of the intestine continues to secr...

[Read More] Why Do Patients with Colostomy Still Feel Urgency at the Anus?


Why Patients with Anal Abscess Surgery Must Discharge After Bowel Movement

Why must a patient be discharged after surgery for an anal abscess or fistula as long as they are able to have bowel movements? I would like to ask the doctor why, after my anal abscess fistula recurrence surgery, the doctor said that as long as I had a bowel movement, regardless...


Dr. Zhang Shuhao Reply:
Whether it is for anal fistula or other surgeries, patients must be stable postoperatively, not requiring intravenous fluids, and able to perform daily activities before being discharged. There is no absolute correlation between the ability to have bowel movements and discharge r...

[Read More] Why Patients with Anal Abscess Surgery Must Discharge After Bowel Movement


Post-Surgical Complications: Managing Rectal Abscess and Sepsis

Postoperative issues related to rectal abscess leading to sepsis? Hello, doctor. My mother underwent Da Vinci surgery for low rectal cancer about two years ago. After a temporary colostomy, it was reversed, but she has been experiencing fecal incontinence since the surgery. Recen...


Dr. Zhang Shuhao Reply:
Postoperative rectal abscess in low rectal cancer requires exclusion of anastomotic leakage or local recurrence. Emergency management includes the current colostomy along with abscess drainage, and arranging for a computed tomography scan and colonoscopy to check for recurrence. ...

[Read More] Post-Surgical Complications: Managing Rectal Abscess and Sepsis


Can You Still Pass Gas After Colostomy Surgery?

After having a colostomy, can the anus still pass gas? The mother underwent surgery to remove fecal matter after being diagnosed with colon cancer, and now has a colostomy with a stoma bag to collect waste. During her recovery at home, she noticed that she still passes gas throug...


Dr. Zhang Shuhao Reply:
Colostomy for colorectal cancer is typically performed to divert feces, alleviating obstructive symptoms and preventing feces from passing through the tumor or the anastomosis site. As long as the majority of feces is drained through the stoma, the desired effect is achieved. It ...

[Read More] Can You Still Pass Gas After Colostomy Surgery?


Post-Surgery Complications: Managing Colostomy Closure Wound Issues

The surgical wound from the closure of the stoma has opened after the sutures were removed, resulting in continuous leakage of fecal matter? Hello, Dr. Ke. My father is 68 years old and had a temporary colostomy placed in the right upper abdomen after undergoing surgery for recta...


Dr. Ke Fangxu Reply:
The issue your father is facing is a leak at the site of the stoma closure. There are two viable options. The first is to temporarily withhold food and wait for the leak to heal on its own. The benefits of this approach are that it avoids the need for another surgery. However, th...

[Read More] Post-Surgery Complications: Managing Colostomy Closure Wound Issues


Challenges in Healing Anal Fistula Post-Surgery: A Patient's Journey

Postoperative non-healing of anal fistula? Hello, Doctor! Here is the background: My mother was diagnosed with rectal cancer around 2019 (very close to the anus). The first physician mentioned that the tumor was too close to the anal sphincter, which would necessitate a permanent...


Dr. Ke Fangxu Reply:
1. Low rectal cancer, after radiation therapy and surgery, has a high probability of developing a rectovaginal fistula. Once formed, it is difficult to heal because radiation therapy can affect local blood circulation, making the fistula less likely to close. 2. The discharge m...

[Read More] Challenges in Healing Anal Fistula Post-Surgery: A Patient's Journey


Managing Colostomy Complications After Surgery: A Patient's Journey

After undergoing a colostomy, a fistula developed in the abdomen? I have undergone major surgery, resulting in 100% intestinal adhesions, and I had my stomach and duodenum removed, followed by a bypass surgery. Eighteen years after the surgery, I had to undergo another operation ...


Dr. Xu Kaixi Reply:
Based on your description, it seems you have undergone surgery for an abdominal wall hernia, which has resulted in a fistula between the intestine and the abdominal wall as well as the skin. In some severe abdominal surgeries, there is indeed a small percentage of cases that may ...

[Read More] Managing Colostomy Complications After Surgery: A Patient's Journey


Nutrition Challenges After Ostomy Surgery: Weight Loss and Dietary Solutions

Nutritional absorption issues due to the presence of a stoma? Hello, Doctor. My father underwent surgery for acute intestinal obstruction in mid-December last year, during which a portion of his small and large intestine was removed. It has been nearly four months since the surge...


Dr. Chen Jiaming Reply:
First, it is unclear whether the stoma is an ileostomy or a colostomy. If it is an ileostomy, there may be issues related to fluid and electrolyte balance, which can be more complex. If it is a colostomy, it depends on whether there are any bowel function issues, such as diarrhea...

[Read More] Nutrition Challenges After Ostomy Surgery: Weight Loss and Dietary Solutions


Managing Colon Tumors in Elderly Patients with Parkinson's Disease

Colorectal tumor + Parkinson's disease + elderly age Dear Dr. Ke, My mother is 83 years old and has a history of Parkinson's disease for about 20 years. She has lost her ability to move independently and requires assistance with feeding (not via a nasogastric tube). Re...


Dr. Ke Fangxu Reply:
The issue of colorectal tumors is quite complicated because if surgery is not performed, it can lead to bowel obstruction, resulting in an inability to eat. Of course, if the patient is elderly and has underlying health issues, the physician should understand the decision not to ...

[Read More] Managing Colon Tumors in Elderly Patients with Parkinson's Disease


Managing Rectovaginal Fistulas in Stage III Cervical Cancer Patients

Cervical cancer stage III B with rectovaginal fistula? My mother is currently in stage III cervical cancer and has developed a rectovaginal fistula, which has led to the creation of a colostomy. However, the doctor did not mention how to manage the fistula moving forward. Is surg...


Dr. Xu Kaixi Reply:
The rectovaginal fistula caused by cervical cancer has undergone colostomy. The subsequent treatment plan will depend on the extent of tumor involvement and should be discussed with your treating physician.

[Read More] Managing Rectovaginal Fistulas in Stage III Cervical Cancer Patients


Understanding Pre-Closure Colostomy: Key Considerations and Risks

Preoperative stoma closure Hello, Dr. Hsu. About a year ago, I underwent a temporary colostomy due to Fournier's gangrene, and I am now considering closure of the stoma. I would like to ask why a colonoscopy is necessary before closing the stoma. Initially, the debridement h...


Dr. Xu Kaixi Reply:
A colonoscopy is performed to ensure that there are no other conditions in the colon. Since your temporary stoma was due to necrotizing fasciitis of the soft tissue in the perineal area (also known as Fournier's gangrene) rather than a colonic pathology, the recovery of colo...

[Read More] Understanding Pre-Closure Colostomy: Key Considerations and Risks


Understanding Colostomy: Insights on Surgical Decisions for Colon Cancer

Artificial anus Hello, my mother is 76 years old and has not had a bowel movement for about 10 days, which has caused abdominal distension. On October 12, she went to National Taiwan University Hospital in Yunlin, where they suspected colon cancer and recommended surgery to remov...


Dr. Li Bozhang Reply:
Dear Mr. Huang: Regarding your letter, medical matters require an actual examination of the patient and an objective assessment based on the necessary test results. Therefore, I am unable to respond to your concerns as stated. If you have doubts about any medical negligence, I re...

[Read More] Understanding Colostomy: Insights on Surgical Decisions for Colon Cancer


Understanding Hernia Repair Options: Laparoscopic Surgery Pros and Cons

Hernia issues Hello Dr. Chen: My father had a temporary colostomy three years ago, and now there is a bulge at the stoma site (it's quite prominent). He went to the hospital for a CT scan, which indicated a hernia, and they recommended laparoscopic surgery to place a mesh fo...


Dr. Chen Jiaming Reply:
Previously, there was a creation of a stoma that caused damage to the abdominal wall muscle fascia, resulting in an "incisional hernia" due to poor healing. Generally, the recurrence rate is lowest when using a mesh implant placed internally in the abdomen for repair. T...

[Read More] Understanding Hernia Repair Options: Laparoscopic Surgery Pros and Cons


Managing Diarrhea After Ileostomy: Prevention and Hydration Tips

Ostomy diarrhea Hello, doctor. A family member recently underwent an ileostomy due to colon cancer, but the frequency of output from the stoma is excessively high. I would like to ask the following questions: 1. Can an ileostomy cause diarrhea, and how can it be prevented and tre...


Dr. Ke Fangxu Reply:
1. Compared to colostomy, the output from an ileostomy is indeed more liquid because the intestinal contents have not undergone the water absorption process in the colon. To manage this, oral medications can be administered to slow down intestinal motility, which can increase the...

[Read More] Managing Diarrhea After Ileostomy: Prevention and Hydration Tips


Post-Surgery Care: Understanding Rectal Discharge After Low Anterior Resection

Low anterior resection for rectal cancer Hello doctor, I underwent a low anterior resection for rectal cancer in mid-July and currently have a temporary colostomy. It has been a month and a half since the surgery, and I am still experiencing pain in the anal area along with some ...


Dr. Ke Fangxu Reply:
It is normal for the lower rectum to have metabolic activity of the intestinal mucosa and mucus secretion even when there is no stool passing through. If there is no significant pain, it is not a concern. However, if there is a large amount of discharge that has a foul odor, it i...

[Read More] Post-Surgery Care: Understanding Rectal Discharge After Low Anterior Resection


Experiencing Blood in Stool After Surgery: What You Need to Know

Blood in the stool? Hello doctor, today when I went to the bathroom, I felt some abdominal pain, but when I went, I passed a large amount of blood. I had a colostomy surgery for a Bartholin's cyst last month and have been taking stool softeners, so my stools have been watery...


Dr. Ke Fangxu Reply:
If you have recently undergone surgery in the perineal area, there is a possibility of wound bleeding. It is advisable to have your surgeon examine the site. If the wound is not an issue, then it could be bleeding from hemorrhoids. It is recommended to avoid constipation and shor...

[Read More] Experiencing Blood in Stool After Surgery: What You Need to Know


Challenges in Treating Recurrent Colon Cancer with Organ Adhesions

Colorectal cancer recurrence with tumor adhesion to the stomach, pancreas, and other organs? Dear Dr. Ke, My father is 60 years old. Last August, he was taken to the emergency room due to unbearable abdominal pain. After examination, he was diagnosed with intestinal obstruction ...


Dr. Ke Fangxu Reply:
Based on your description, the condition seems to be quite severe. If there are multiple metastases in the abdominal cavity after surgery, it can be said that Western medicine has no possibility of a cure. Targeted therapy can effectively extend survival by 3 to 6 months. Surgica...

[Read More] Challenges in Treating Recurrent Colon Cancer with Organ Adhesions


Understanding Colorectal Cancer Staging and Treatment: A Patient's Journey

Malignant tumor of the descending colon? Hello. I would like to ask the doctor about my mother's recent issues. 1. Due to long-term constipation, she was diagnosed with intestinal obstruction, and further examination revealed a tumor located 40 centimeters in the colon. A bi...


Dr. Chen Jiaming Reply:
First of all, each individual's tumor treatment will have its specific circumstances. You may need to accompany your mother to her outpatient appointment to confirm the questions you have raised one by one, rather than seeking advice from other doctors on this platform! The ...

[Read More] Understanding Colorectal Cancer Staging and Treatment: A Patient's Journey


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