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Colostomy - Risks

Alternative Names

Intestinal opening

Risks:

Risks from any anesthesia include:

  • Problems breathing
  • Reactions to medications

Risks from any surgery include:

  • Bleeding

Other risks include:

  • Bleeding inside your belly
  • Damage to nearby organs
  • Development of a hernia at the site of the surgical cut
  • Falling in of the stoma (prolapse of the colostomy)
  • Infection, especially in the lungs, urinary tract, or belly
  • Narrowing or blockage of the colostomy opening (stoma)
  • Scar tissue forming in your belly and causing intestinal blockage
  • Skin irritation
  • Wound breaking open
  • Reviewed last on: 5/6/2011
  • Shabir Bhimji, MD, PhD, Specializing in General Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Fry RD, Mahmoud N, Maron DJ, et al. Colon and Rectum. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 50.

Cima RR, Pemberton JH. Ileostomy, colostomy, and pouches. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2010: chap 113.

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