Colostomy

The Colorectal Center at Cincinnati Children’s utilizes a colostomy in certain cases of imperforate anus / anorectal malformations.

Children who require a colostomy in the newborn period are those without evidence of an anal opening on the perineal skin, those with a recto-urethral fistula and patients with cloacal malformations.

The pediatric colostomy is used as an imperforate anus repair to divert the fecal stream and thereby allow passage of stool into a stoma bag. It also is important to protect the surrounding area for future reconstructive surgery.

The downstream colon is studied through the mucous fistula prior to the definitive surgery in the radiology department, and the precise rectal anatomy can be defined.