A colostomy is a surgical procedure in which a portion of the colon (large intestine) is diverted or rerouted through an opening in the abdomen called a stoma. This is done when there is a need to bypass or remove a diseased or damaged section of the colon. The purpose of a colostomy is to provide an alternate route for stool to pass out of the body, allowing waste to be collected in an external pouch attached to the stoma. This procedure is usually performed to treat conditions such as colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, or other conditions that affect the colon.
