colostomy Surg.
(kəʊˈlɒstəmɪ)
[f. colo- + Gr. στόµα mouth.]
The operation of making an artificial opening into the colon through the abdominal wall.
| 1888 J. A. Wyeth Text-bk. Surg. xvii. 514 Colostomy is indicated as a palliative measure in occlusion of the alimentary canal. 1892 Index Medicus XIV. 127 (heading) A case of inguinal colostomy of eighteen months' duration, illustrating the advantages of the anterior operation. 1932 [see colo-]. 1941 H. E. Bacon Anus Rectum Sigm. Colon (ed. 2) xx. 722 A colostomy may be constructed in the ascending, transverse, descending, or sigmoid colon. 1948 Brit. Surg. Pract. III. 94 A transverse colostomy..is indicated in those patients who appear to be suffering from an involvement of the left half of the colon only. 1967 F. F. Cartwright Devel. Mod. Surg. ix. 186 The earlier colostomy operations were performed, not for bowel obstruction in elderly patients, but for the congenital absence of the anus in new-born children. |