Intestinal opening

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

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Colostomy Overview

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Colostomy Recovery

Review Date: 05/06/2011
Reviewed By: 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.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)