End Colostomy Reversal

What is End Colostomy Reversal

End colostomy reversal is surgery that reverses an end colostomy. In this reversal procedure, the large intestine is disconnected from the opening in the abdomen (stoma). Then, it is reconnected to the rest of the large intestine inside the body.

After this surgery, a stoma and colostomy bag are no longer needed. Stool (feces) can leave your body through the rectum, as it did before you had an end colostomy.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
• Any blood disorders you have.
• Any surgeries you have had.
• Any medical conditions you have.
• Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

• Infection.
• Bleeding.
• Allergic reactions to medicines.
• Damage to other structures or organs.
• A temporary condition in which the intestines stop moving and working correctly (ileus). This usually goes away in 3–7 days.
• Leaking at the area of the intestine (anastomotic leak) where it was reconnected.
• A collection of pus (abscess) in the abdomen or pelvis.
• Intestinal blockage.
• Narrowing of the intestine (stricture) at the place where it was reconnected.
• Urinary and sexual dysfunction.

What happens before the procedure?

• Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions.
• Ask your health care provider about:
  • Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
  • Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood.Do nottake these medicines before your procedure if your health care provider instructs you not to.
• Do notuse any tobacco products, such as cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• Plan to have someone take you home after the procedure.
• You may have an exam or testing.
• Ask your health care provider how your surgical site will be marked or identified.
• You may be given antibiotic medicine to help prevent infection.

What happens during the procedure?

• To reduce your risk of infection:
  • Your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
  • Your skin will be washed with soap.
• An IV tube will be inserted into one of your veins.
• You may be given a medicine to help you relax (sedative).
• You will be given a medicine to make you fall asleep (general anesthetic).
• An incision will be made in your abdomen at the site of the stoma.
• The large intestine will be disconnected from the abdomen at the site of the stoma.
• The surgeon will use stitches (sutures) or staples to reconnect the two ends of the intestine that were separated during the end colostomy.
• The incision will be closed with sutures, skin glue, or adhesive strips. It may be covered with bandages (dressings).

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

• Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored often until the medicines you were given have worn off.
• You will be given pain medicine as needed.
• You will slowly increase your diet and movement as told by your health care provider.
• Do notdrive for 24 hours if you received a sedative.

Care After End Colostomy Reversal

These instructions provide you with information about caring for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions.

Your treatment has been planned according to current medical practices, but problems sometimes occur. Call your health care provider if you have any problems or questions after your procedure.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After the procedure, it is common to have:

• Pain and discomfort in your abdomen, especially near your incision.
• Loose stools.
• Decreased appetite.

Follow these instructions at home:

Activity

• Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
• Avoid strenuous activity, contact sports, and abdominal exercises for 4 weeks or as long as told by your health care provider.
• Do notlift anything that is heavier than 10 lb (4.5 kg).

Incision care

• Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your incision. Make sure you:
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your bandage (dressing). If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Change your dressing as told by your health care provider.
  • Leave stitches (sutures), skin glue, or adhesive strips in place. These skin closures may need to stay in place for 2 weeks or longer. If adhesive strip edges start to loosen and curl up, you may trim the loose edges. Do notremove adhesive strips completely unless your health care provider tells you to do that.
• Keep the incision area clean and dry.
• Check your incision area every day for signs of infection. Check for:
  • More redness, swelling, or pain.
  • More fluid or blood.
  • Warmth.
  • Pus or a bad smell.

Bathing

• Do nottake baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your health care provider approves. Ask your health care provider if you can take showers. You may only be allowed to take sponge baths for bathing.
• If your health care provider approves bathing and showering, cover the bandage with a watertight plastic bag to protect it from water. Do notlet the bandage get wet.
• Keep the bandage (dressing) dry until your health care provider says it can be removed.

Eating and drinking

• Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions.
• Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.

Driving

• Do notdrive for 24 hours if you received a sedative.
• Do notdrive or operate heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.

General instructions

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Do notuse any tobacco products, such as cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have more redness, swelling, or pain at the site of your incision.
• You have more fluid or blood coming from your incision.
• Your incision feels warm to the touch.
• You have pus or a bad smell coming from your incision.
• You have a fever.
• Your incision breaks open.
• You keep vomiting or feeling nauseous.
• You are not able to have a bowel movement (are constipated).
• You have pain that is not controlled with medicine.

Get help right away if:

• You have a rash.
• You have difficulty breathing.