No Ostomy Bag After Colon And Rectum Cancer Surgery
The rate of colorectal cancer is increasing in young adults, who in their 20s to 40s. The rate of this cancer has decreased in people above 55. It means that most people who are getting this cancer are the ones who have to build carriers and support families. And so, they do not cope well with the idea of undergoing surgery or other treatments.
The most concerning aspect of undergoing colorectal cancer surgery is the probability of having an ileostomy or colostomy. This bowel diversion necessitates a patient to wear an ostomy bag on the abdomen the entire time to manage stool evacuations. The good thing, however, is that about 80% to 90% of patients who undergo a surgical procedure to remove a cancerous tumor from the colon or rectum will not need a bowel ostomy. On top of that, advanced imaging and surgical methods have allowed surgeons to eliminate the need to create an ostomy on the abdomen.
The most concerning aspect of undergoing colorectal cancer surgery is the probability of having an ileostomy or colostomy. This bowel diversion necessitates a patient to wear an ostomy bag on the abdomen the entire time to manage stool evacuations. The good thing, however, is that about 80% to 90% of patients who undergo a surgical procedure to remove a cancerous tumor from the colon or rectum will not need a bowel ostomy. On top of that, advanced imaging and surgical methods have allowed surgeons to eliminate the need to create an ostomy on the abdomen.
Advanced surgery to eliminate the need for an ostomy
The procedure that removes cancer tumors close the anus without operating on sphincter muscles is known as sphincter-sparing surgery.
According to a study, about 67-73% of patients who underwent the tumor removal procedure between 1990 and 2010 had sphincter-sparing surgery. This surgery requires expertise beyond general surgery. It means that you will need to meet a specialist if you want your sphincters to remain functional after colorectal cancer surgery.
Before performing this surgery, the surgeon must first locate the tumor in association with a line that separates the rectum from the anus. A patient is more likely a candidate for this procedure if his tumor has not grown into the anal sphincters.
The procedure first involves the surgeon disconnecting the rectum from the anus. Then he removes the tumor and any cancerous cells. After removing cancer cells, lymph nodes, and fats, the surgeon will connect the colon on the top of the anus. This way, the waste material will pass through the anus, eliminating the need to create an ostomy.
The patient will may an ileostomy until the surgery site recovers from the impact of the procedure. This additional procedure involves the surgeon passing the ileum through a cut in the belly to create a temporary ileostomy. He may choose to create a loop stoma, which doesn’t require disconnecting the small bowel from the colon at the time of its creation.
While you have an ileostomy, you will have to adapt to a more cautious lifestyle, at least for a few weeks until your bowel recovers. It may mean having a restricted diet plan and avoiding strenuous physical activities to prevent any stoma-related issues. You may return to a more active lifestyle and eat pretty much everything six weeks after ileostomy surgery.
While you have an ileostomy, you will have to make sure to take care of your stoma and the skin around it. For this purpose, it is necessary to ensure a proper seal between the ostomy pouch and the peristomal skin to prevent any skin complications. For more information in this regard, you may want to speak to your doctor or ostomy care nurse.
The procedure that removes cancer tumors close the anus without operating on sphincter muscles is known as sphincter-sparing surgery.
According to a study, about 67-73% of patients who underwent the tumor removal procedure between 1990 and 2010 had sphincter-sparing surgery. This surgery requires expertise beyond general surgery. It means that you will need to meet a specialist if you want your sphincters to remain functional after colorectal cancer surgery.
Before performing this surgery, the surgeon must first locate the tumor in association with a line that separates the rectum from the anus. A patient is more likely a candidate for this procedure if his tumor has not grown into the anal sphincters.
The procedure first involves the surgeon disconnecting the rectum from the anus. Then he removes the tumor and any cancerous cells. After removing cancer cells, lymph nodes, and fats, the surgeon will connect the colon on the top of the anus. This way, the waste material will pass through the anus, eliminating the need to create an ostomy.
The patient will may an ileostomy until the surgery site recovers from the impact of the procedure. This additional procedure involves the surgeon passing the ileum through a cut in the belly to create a temporary ileostomy. He may choose to create a loop stoma, which doesn’t require disconnecting the small bowel from the colon at the time of its creation.
While you have an ileostomy, you will have to adapt to a more cautious lifestyle, at least for a few weeks until your bowel recovers. It may mean having a restricted diet plan and avoiding strenuous physical activities to prevent any stoma-related issues. You may return to a more active lifestyle and eat pretty much everything six weeks after ileostomy surgery.
While you have an ileostomy, you will have to make sure to take care of your stoma and the skin around it. For this purpose, it is necessary to ensure a proper seal between the ostomy pouch and the peristomal skin to prevent any skin complications. For more information in this regard, you may want to speak to your doctor or ostomy care nurse.