Colostomy Surgery Explained:
Uses, Care and Planning

Dr Chong Chee Keong

Breast, Colorectal and General Surgeon

MBBS (Singapore), FRCS (Edinburgh), FRCS (Glasgow), FAMS (Singapore)

Specialist Accreditation in Intensive Care Medicine

Specialists Accreditation Board

A colostomy is a surgical procedure that creates an opening in the abdominal wall to divert stool into a colostomy bag. While the idea of a colostomy can feel overwhelming at first, it is often a carefully considered step taken to protect your health, support healing and manage disease safely.

What Is a Colostomy?

A colostomy is a surgical procedure in which a part of the colon is brought through the abdominal wall to create an opening called a stoma. Through this opening, stool exits the body and is collected in an external pouch rather than passing through the rectum and anus.

Colostomies may be temporary or permanent, depending on the underlying condition and treatment plan. They are commonly performed to allow the bowel to heal, to relieve obstruction or to manage conditions such as colorectal cancer, diverticular disease or traumatic injury.

Conditions That May Require a Colostomy

A colostomy may be recommended when the bowel needs to be diverted for safety or healing. Common reasons include:

• Colorectal cancer, particularly when the tumour affects bowel continuity or requires protection after surgery.
• Bowel obstruction or perforation, where normal passage of stool is unsafe.
• Inflammatory bowel disease, such as severe Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
• Severe diverticulitis, especially when infection or perforation is present.
• Traumatic injury to the colon, following accidents or emergency surgery.

Types of Colostomy

Not all colostomies are the same, and the type recommended depends on your condition and surgical goals.

• Temporary colostomy

  - A temporary colostomy is created to allow the bowel to rest and heal after surgery or inflammation. Once healing is complete and it is safe to do so, the bowel may be reconnected in a later procedure.

• Permanent colostomy

  - A permanent colostomy is necessary when the colon or rectum cannot be safely reconnected. This may result from extensive disease, the position of a tumour or irreversible bowel damage.

The decision between a temporary or permanent colostomy will be carefully made by your surgeon, taking into account the underlying condition, the health and integrity of the bowel, whether reconnection is feasible, as well as your overall well-being.

Goals of Colostomy Surgery

The aim of colostomy surgery goes beyond waste diversion. Key goals include:

• Allowing the bowel to heal without strain.
• Preventing infection, leakage, or further complications.
• Supporting effective treatment of the underlying condition.
• Restoring comfort and improving quality of life.

Individualised Treatment Planning

Colostomy care is never one-size-fits-all. Your treatment plan is tailored based on your diagnosis, anatomy, overall health and personal circumstances.

At every stage, decisions are made through open discussion between you and your surgeon. This shared approach ensures you understand your options and feel confident in the path forward.

Comprehensive Colostomy Care with
Dr Chong Chee Keong

A colostomy may be necessary as part of treatment for colorectal conditions, and careful planning is essential for both surgical success and long-term quality of life. At Maven Surgery, colostomy procedures are performed by Dr Chong Chee Keong with close attention to surgical precision, recovery and ongoing stoma management. With over two decades of experience in colorectal surgery, he ensures each patient receives clear guidance and coordinated support to adapt confidently after surgery.

If a colostomy has been recommended or you would like more information about what the procedure involves, arrange a consultation to discuss your concerns and personalised care plan.

Frequently Asked Questions
on Colostomies

Our Colorectal Surgeon in Singapore

Dr Chong Chee Keong

Breast, Colorectal and General Surgeon

MBBS (Singapore), FRCS (Edinburgh), FRCS (Glasgow), FAMS (Singapore)

Specialist Accreditation in Intensive Care Medicine

Specialists Accreditation Board

Dr Chong Chee Keong is a highly experienced colorectal surgeon with over 20 years of expertise in managing complex bowel conditions. His work includes extensive involvement in colorectal cancer surgery, where careful surgical planning and patient-centred care are essential.

With a strong focus on colorectal cancer treatment in Singapore, Dr Chong adopts a comprehensive approach that combines surgery, post-operative care and long-term follow-up. His goal is to deliver treatment that is not only clinically effective but also aligned with each patient's lifestyle and recovery needs.