Colostomy / Ileostomy creation or reversal

• Authorization should be obtained prior to surgery and will be done by the hospital or the rooms staff depending on whether you are an in- or outpatient.

• Make sure that you have been fasting for solid foods for at least 6 hours prior to your surgery and for clear liquids or water for at least 2 hours prior to your surgery.

• Discuss your chronic medications with your doctor or hospital staff prior to your surgery as you usually are allowed to take chronic medications the day of surgery, barring diabetic medication the day of the procedure. If you are taking any blood thinning medication please discuss these in detail with your doctor as special arrangements need to be made for these.

• Bowel preparation, blood tests, imaging, or stoma nurse assessment may be required before surgery.

You will be admitted to hospital and taken to theatre. After surgery, you will be monitored in recovery and then transferred to the ward. You may have intravenous fluids, a urinary catheter, wound dressings, drains, or a stoma bag depending on the procedure performed.

The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia. During stoma creation, the affected bowel is treated, and a section of bowel is brought through the abdominal wall to form a stoma. A stoma bag is fitted after surgery.

During reversal, the stoma is closed and the bowel ends are reconnected. The abdominal wall is then repaired and closed.

Stoma creation usually takes 2–4 hours, depending on the underlying condition.
Stoma reversal usually takes 1–3 hours, depending on complexity.

• Possible complications include bleeding, infection, leakage from the bowel join, bowel obstruction, wound complications, hernia formation, stoma prolapse or retraction, skin irritation, dehydration with ileostomy, recurrence of bowel symptoms, and unintended damage to surrounding structures.

• Hospital stay after stoma creation is usually 5–10 days.
  Hospital stay after reversal is usually 3–7 days, depending on bowel function and recovery.