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Contents
1. Overview
2. Reversal
3. Living with
4. Complications
There are a number of possible problems you may experience after having a colostomy.
Rectal discharge
If you've had a colostomy but your rectum and anus are intact, you may have some mucus
discharge from your bottom. Mucus is produced by the lining of the bowel to help the passage of
stools.
The lining of the bowel continues producing mucus, even though it no longer serves any
purpose. The longer the remaining section of your bowel, the more likely you are to have rectal
discharge.
The mucus can vary, from a clear "egg white" to a sticky, glue-like consistency. It can either leak
out of your bottom or build up into a ball, which can become uncomfortable.
Some people have rectal discharge every few weeks, while others have several episodes a day.
Contact your GP if there's blood or pus in the discharge – it may be a sign of infection or tissue
damage.
You may find it helps if you sit on the toilet every day and push down as if passing a stool. This
should remove any mucus and stop it building into a ball.
But some people find this difficult because surgery can reduce the sensation in the rectum.
Contact your GP if this is the case, as you may need further treatment.
Glycerine suppositories that you insert into your bottom can often help. When the capsules
dissolve, they make the mucus more watery, so it's easier to get rid of.
The mucus can sometimes irritate the skin around your bottom. Using a barrier skin cream
should help. You may need to try a few before you find one that works for you. Ask your
pharmacist for advice.
Some people find that eating certain foods increases mucus production. While there's no
scientific evidence to support this, you may want to try keeping a food diary for a few weeks to
see whether certain foods could be linked to an increase in mucus production.
Parastomal hernia
A parastomal hernia is where the intestines push through the muscles around the stoma, resulting
in a noticeable bulge under the skin.
Most hernias can be managed with the help and support of your stoma nurse. In some cases,
surgery may be needed to repair the hernia. But the hernia can come back, even after surgery.
Stoma blockage
Some people develop a blockage in their stoma as the result of a build-up of food.
After trying these steps, if there's no improvement within two hours, you should contact your GP
or stoma nurse immediately as there's a risk your colon could burst.
Preventing a blockage
Other complications
Other problems you can have after a colostomy include:
skin problems – where the skin around the stoma becomes irritated and sore; your stoma
care team will explain how to manage this
stomal fistula – where a small channel or hole develops in the skin alongside the stoma;
depending on the position of the fistula, appropriate bags and good skin management may
be all that's needed to treat this problem
stoma retraction – where the stoma sinks below the level of the skin after the initial
swelling goes down, which can lead to leakages because the colostomy bag doesn't form a
good seal; different types of pouches and appliances can help, although further surgery may
sometimes be needed
stoma prolapse – where the stoma comes out too far above the level of the skin; using a
different type of colostomy bag can sometimes help if the prolapse is small, although
further surgery may be required
stomal stricture – where the stoma becomes scarred and narrowed; further surgery may
be needed to correct it if there's a risk of blockage
leakage – where digestive waste leaks from the colon on to the surrounding skin or
within the abdomen; trying different bags and appliances may help an external leak, but
further surgery may be needed if the leak is internal
stomal ischaemia – where the blood supply to the stoma is reduced after surgery; further
surgery may be needed