Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Ovarian Cancer (Expert Forum)
Colostomy after surgery
Answered by
Annekathryn Goodman, M.D. - Gynecologic Cancers, Complex Gynecologic, Surgeries, Palliative Care, Acupuncture
Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center
Boston - MA
This forum is for questions and support regarding ovarian cancer issues, such as: Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Clinical Trials, Genetics, Hysterectomy,Immunotherapy, Ovarian Cancer Types, Radiation Therapy, Risk Factors, Screening, Staging, Surgery.
|
Colostomy after surgery
by Crickie, May 27, 2008 04:36PM
Hello,
I had a posterior pelvic exenteration withrectum and vaginal reconstruction for ovarian cancer recurrence. I had a descending loop colostomy. In June I will have a CTscan and hopefully will have it reversed. But from what the surgeon told me the radiation I had might make reversal impossible. Also, since surgery I am not able to pee. I have self catheterized and am now on Foley catheter -I might alos need a urostomy.
can you tell me if these surgeries are major ones? Recovery? If the colostomy needs to be made permanent is that also a major surgery? Is it long enough to see from a CT scan if I'm thouroughly healed?
Thanks for any help, I am in a lot of bowel and urinary pain.
I had a posterior pelvic exenteration withrectum and vaginal reconstruction for ovarian cancer recurrence. I had a descending loop colostomy. In June I will have a CTscan and hopefully will have it reversed. But from what the surgeon told me the radiation I had might make reversal impossible. Also, since surgery I am not able to pee. I have self catheterized and am now on Foley catheter -I might alos need a urostomy.
can you tell me if these surgeries are major ones? Recovery? If the colostomy needs to be made permanent is that also a major surgery? Is it long enough to see from a CT scan if I'm thouroughly healed?
Thanks for any help, I am in a lot of bowel and urinary pain.
Doctor's Answer
by Annekathryn Goodman, M.D., May 31, 2008 04:35PM
, May 31, 2008 04:35PM
Hi Crickie,
it is so nice to hear from you again. I am glad that you got your surgery.
Radical pelvic surgery whether it is a radical hysterectomy or an exenteration, involves the resection of ligaments that attach to the edges of your pelvic. That is - the ligament called the cardinal ligament goes from the area of the vagina to the pelvic side wall (the inside t the hips and pelvic bones). the uterosacral ligament goes from the area of the vagina, around the rectum, to attach on the sacrum or tail bone.
Important nerves called sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves run through these ligaments. These nerve play an important role in sensation of the pelvic organs such as the bladder and motor function such as the bladder contracting to expel urine, the rectum contracting to allow bowel movements.
It is not rare to have a disorder of these nerves from radical surgery. Alot of the nerve function will regenerate with time. But some may not. there are a fraction of women who always need to self catheterize.
A urostomy is made as a new bladder when it is not possible to have a functional bladder or tumor is involving the bladder and it must be removed, or a hole develops between bladder and vagina.
The decision to reverse a colostomy is based on several factors:
-is there tumor in the way?
-is there enough length to the anus and rectum to technically be able to sew the bowel back together
-is there enough blood supply so that the suture line will heal and not breakdown to form a fistula
those are the questions your doctor will be asking to decide whether your colostomy can be reversed.
It is a big surgery that requires the same abdominal incision you have now.
I hope that your pain and discomfort lightens. Good luck with the next step
best wishes
it is so nice to hear from you again. I am glad that you got your surgery.
Radical pelvic surgery whether it is a radical hysterectomy or an exenteration, involves the resection of ligaments that attach to the edges of your pelvic. That is - the ligament called the cardinal ligament goes from the area of the vagina to the pelvic side wall (the inside t the hips and pelvic bones). the uterosacral ligament goes from the area of the vagina, around the rectum, to attach on the sacrum or tail bone.
Important nerves called sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves run through these ligaments. These nerve play an important role in sensation of the pelvic organs such as the bladder and motor function such as the bladder contracting to expel urine, the rectum contracting to allow bowel movements.
It is not rare to have a disorder of these nerves from radical surgery. Alot of the nerve function will regenerate with time. But some may not. there are a fraction of women who always need to self catheterize.
A urostomy is made as a new bladder when it is not possible to have a functional bladder or tumor is involving the bladder and it must be removed, or a hole develops between bladder and vagina.
The decision to reverse a colostomy is based on several factors:
-is there tumor in the way?
-is there enough length to the anus and rectum to technically be able to sew the bowel back together
-is there enough blood supply so that the suture line will heal and not breakdown to form a fistula
those are the questions your doctor will be asking to decide whether your colostomy can be reversed.
It is a big surgery that requires the same abdominal incision you have now.
I hope that your pain and discomfort lightens. Good luck with the next step
best wishes
