[Colostomy and stoma rehabilitation]

Recently, although a trend for applying sphincter-saving procedures for carcinoma of the rectosigmoid and upper rectum has been increasing, the majority of patients with advanced rectal carcinoma located in the lower rectum and anal canal have been receiving Mile's operation as in the past. Consequently, these patients become permanent colostomates. In this paper, we deal with the following problems occurring in colostomates, i.e., operative procedures involved in colostomy, the management of colostomy by natural evacuation or irrigation and urogenital deficiencies, and in addition discuss the current aspects and prospects for stoma rehabilitation.