Continent colostomy

Abstract

Summary A method for constructing a continent colostomy has been tested in dogs. The sigmoid colon was divided and the distal end closed. The proximal end was used for constructing the colostomy. Approximately 5 cm proximal to the colostomy, a short segment of the sigmoid wall was intussuscepted into the bowel lumen and secured in position by use of electrocauterization and silk sutures placed through the intestinal walls. The intussuscepted “nipple” projecting into the lumen of the bowel measured 3–5 cm. Ten dogs were provided with this type of colostomy. The bowel was emptied once or twice a day by the use of a wide-bore plastic catheter and irrigation. All dogs were continent from the time of operation until they were sacrificed one to eight weeks later. In two dogs abscesses developed around the colostomy, but in the other dogs no surgical complication was found. In six animals bezoars (hairballs) in the colon dislocated the nipple valve and made emptying difficult. For this reason the observation time has not exceeded eight weeks.