What does a colostomy involve?

A colostomy involves the surgical creation of an opening in the colon, which is designed to allow stool to be expelled from the body instead of passing through the rectum. This surgical procedure is typically performed when there is a need to divert waste due to various medical conditions, such as colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, or trauma to the intestines.

During the procedure, a section of the colon is brought to the surface of the abdomen to create a stoma, through which waste can be collected in a colostomy bag. This is particularly important for patients who can no longer have normal bowel movements due to a blockage, disease, or surgery that affects that part of the digestive system.

In contrast, the other options listed refer to different medical procedures: the removal of the gallbladder pertains to gallbladder disease and does not involve the intestines, inserting a tube into the stomach relates to feeding or gas drainage procedures rather than bowel diversions, and therapeutic draining of excess fluids is typically associated with fluid management in conditions such as ascites or abscesses, which is entirely different from performing a colostomy.