colostomy

colostomy, the surgical formation of an artificial anus by making an opening from the colon through the abdominal wall. A colostomy may be performed in order to decompress an obstructed colon; to divert the fecal stream after traumatic injury or when resectioning an inflammatory, obstructive, or perforated lesion; to replace the anus as the distal opening of the gastrointestinal tract when the distal colon or rectum is removed; and to promote internal healing. Colostomies may...