Editing Colostomy (section)

== Uses ==
There are many reasons for this procedure.  Some common reasons are:
* A part of the colon has been removed, e.g. due to [[colon cancer]] requiring a [[total mesorectal excision]], [[diverticulitis]], injury, etc., so that it is no longer possible for feces to exit via the [[anus]].
* A part of the colon has been operated upon and needs to be 'rested' until it is healed. In this case, the colostomy is often temporary and is usually reversed at a later date, leaving the patient with a small [[scar]] in place of the stoma.  Children undergoing surgery for extensive [[pelvic tumor]]s commonly are given a colostomy in preparation for surgery to remove the tumor, followed by [[colostomy reversal|reversal]] of the colostomy.
* [[Fecal incontinence]] that is not responsive to other treatments.