Editing Colostomy (section)

=== Alternatives ===
Colostomy or [[ileostomy]] is now rarely performed for rectal cancer, with surgeons usually preferring primary [[Bowel resection|resection]] and internal [[anastomosis]],<ref name="ASCRS textbook">{{Cite book |title=The ASCRS textbook of colon and rectal surgery |publisher=Springer |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-387-24846-2 |editor-last=Wolff |editor-first=Bruce G. |location=New York |page=417 |editor-last2=American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons}}</ref> e.g. an [[ileo-anal pouch]]. In place of an external [[Prosthesis|appliance]], an internal ileo-anal pouch is constructed using a portion of the patient's lower intestine, to act as a new [[rectum]] to replace the removed original.