Sigmoid colon resection and colostomy

Sigmoid Colon Resection- surgical procedure in which a diseased part of the large intestine is removed. To prepare for the procedure, the patient is asked to completely clean out the bowel. This is an important step if the bowel is to be opened safely within the peritoneal cavity to empty and cleanse the bowel, the patient is usually placed on a liquid diet for at least the day before surgery, with nothing taken by mouth after midnight. A series of enemas and/or oral preparations (GoLytely or Colyte) may be ordered to empty the bowel of stool. The patient may also be given a prescription for oral antibiotics the day before surgery to decrease bacteria in the intestine and to help prevent post-operative infection. A nasogastric tube is inserted through the nose into the stomach during surgery and may be left in place for 24–48 hours after surgery. This removes the gastric secretions and prevents nausea and vomiting. A urinary catheter may be inserted to keep the bladder empty during surgery, giving more space in the surgical field and decreasing chances of accidental injury.

After the procedure the nasogastric tube will remain in place, attached to low intermittent suction until bowel activity resumes. Fluids and electrolytes are infused intravenously until the patient's diet can gradually be resumed, beginning with liquids and advancing to a regular diet as tolerated. Most patients will stay in the hospital for five to seven days.

Colostomy- surgical procedure that involves connecting a part of the colon onto the anterior abdominal wall, leaving the patient with an opening on the abdomen called a stoma. This opening is formed from the end of the large intestine drawn out through the incision and sutured to the skin. After a colostomy, feces leave the patient's body through the stoma, and collect in a pouch attached to the patient's abdomen which is changed when necessary.

- Good skin care around the stoma is critical. Before applying a fresh pouch, the skin around the stoma is washed gently with a mild soap. A gauze dressing may be used to cover the stoma while the skin is cleaned. The skin is patted completely dry with a gauze pad. Rubbing should be avoided. A skin barrier, which may be a wafer or paste, is then applied to protect the skin from bowel contents draining through the stoma. The backing of the adhesive surface of the pouch is removed. Then pressed down around the stoma for 30 seconds. The pouch should be removed and drained when it is one-third to one-fourth full.

- A dietitian can help a person with a colostomy choose a balanced diet. It may be helpful to avoid some foods, such as those that cause gas and odor. These foods include: beans ,eggs ,fish ,members of the cabbage family and nuts . Foods or fluids such as fruits, coffee, carbonated beverages, or high-fiber items may cause diarrhea. Foods with hard-to-digest kernels, such as popcorn, may need to be avoided as well.