Following a colostomy or ileostomy, a stoma reversal is a treatment to reconnect your bowels (also called ostomies). The bowel was split and connected to a hole in your belly skin throughout ostomy surgery. A stoma is a term for the opening. The stool is expelled from your body via the stoma.
A stoma is created by bringing a loop of the intestine to the level of the abdomen. To gather the feces, a bag is placed over the top of the stoma. A stoma can be permanent or temporary and can be removed within a few days or weeks when the bowel has healed. Stoma reversal treatment is reconnecting your stoma to your colon or small bowel and then sealing the stoma location. Both a colostomy and an ileostomy reversal are carried out in the same way.
Only if the doctor is satisfied that you will develop sufficient bowel control after surgery will you be given a stoma reversal. Before your operation, you may undergo several tests to make sure your intestine has recovered completely and your anal sphincter muscles are in excellent functioning condition, like:
- Rectal examination to assess the power of your sphincter muscles and bowel problems.
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy to assess the health of your bowel.
- An enema to ensure that your bowel connection is free of leakage.
- A CT scan will be performed to ensure that no severe disease is present that might risk your reversal.
People with a Stoma Reversal
You could be termed for a stoma reversal when you have sufficient rectum left intact (unless you’re having J Pouch surgery, in which case a new rectal reservoir will be formed from your small bowel), better anal sphincter muscle power, no effective illness in your bowel or rectum, and you’re in great health to get over the surgery.
The scheduling of your reversal will be thoroughly considered; if you are having chemotherapy, you will not be permitted to have the operation. During 3 and 12 months after stoma surgery is the best period for reversal. This is to verify that your muscle tone remains excellent and that your gut is strong enough for the operation.
Surgery of Stoma Reversal
The treatment to reverse your stoma is generally less technically challenging than the actual stoma surgery; however, this depends on whether you have any problems like a hernia that can be treated at the very same moment.
When it comes to stoma reversal surgery, how long does it take?
The procedure can be done either laparoscopically (via a keyhole) or openly. Your doctor will talk to you about the best course of action for you. Under anesthesia, a simple stoma reversal will require about 1-2 hours to complete.
What is the recovery time after stoma reversal surgery?
To enable the intestines to relax, you should only drink liquids during the first 24 hours following surgery. You can then begin a delicate meal after 1-2 days. To promote activity back into your intestine and improve your healing, you will be urged to walk as much as needed. You will be permitted to leave the hospital if you have opened your intestines and are not undergoing any problems. The usual hospitalization is 3 to 5 days.
Following the surgery, it is normal to feel exhausted and sick once you are sent home. Small walks on a regular basis might help you restore your strength and get back on your feet. You’ll need to prevent heavy lifting for 6-8 weeks, and you’ll be able to drive again if you’re comfortable in your ability to make an emergency stop. Most folks will be about 6-8 weeks post-op when this happens.
Following stoma reversal treatment, how long does it take to get a bowel movement?
Following treatment, your bowel movements may be irregular for a while. For up to a few hours after treatment, you may suffer loose motions or constipation, anxiety, discomfort when passing motions, irritated skin all-around back passage, partial emptiness, and a level of incontinence.
Stoma Reversal Treatment Complications and Negative Impacts
Every surgery entails some level of risk. Some of the dangers and negative impacts of a stoma reversal are listed below. Throughout your pre-assessment, your doctor will go through any possible problems with you in particular.
- Ileus – Ileus is a condition in which the bowel momentarily stops functioning.
- The new bowel connection might break apart and leak into the abdominal cavity, causing an anastomotic leak.
- Scar tissue developing in the intestine causes intestinal blockage and adhesions.
- There’s a chance you’ll have a hernia.
- Infection of the chest.
- UTI.
- Clots in the blood.
- Infection.