When your child returns from the operating room, they will likely have a clear ostomy pouch in place. This is so the doctors and nurses can see the stoma and see what is coming out of the stoma.
Your child will be given medications to help with the discomfort for a few days after surgery. Your child may also be given some other medications such as antibiotics or medications used to treat any underlying illness such as Crohn’s Disease.
Your child’s stoma may initially look a little swollen. This is a normal response to surgery, just as if you had surgery on your foot or arm. During about a 6 week period after the surgery, the stoma will slowly shrink a bit.
If the stoma was created in the intestinal tract for stool, it will first start to produce gas and then over the next 2-3 days you will see some liquid stool. This will thicken up a little as your child begins to eat regular foods.
If the stoma was created for urine, you will see urine coming out right away. Sometimes the urine might look as though there is some blood mixed in, but over time this clears up. For urinary stomas, the surgeon will likely place “stents”—these are little tubes that help keep the stoma open and any connections open so the urine will keep flowing.
The first pouch change usually is done on day 2 or 3 after surgery.
While your child is in the hospital you will first learn how to empty the pouch. Depending on age, your child will also learn how to change the ostomy appliance.
For urinary stomas, the appliance can be connected to a drainage bag that collects the urine overnight. Because the kidneys are constantly making urine, the stoma will have urine output continually. The drainage bag allows urine to be collected so your child does not have to wake up frequently overnight to empty the pouch.
To manage stool output, depending on the type of surgery your child requires, your child may occasionally pass some mucous out their rectum which is normal. This is because that part of the intestine still works and still makes mucus.
Your child will also be taught what to look for with the stoma. It should be red in color, which means it has a good blood supply. If the stoma (for urine or stool output), changes color, such as turns blue or black for example, you should contact your surgeon. If there is little or no output, you should contact your surgeon. Having good output from the stoma means that it is working well.
You will also be given some education on diet and medication and how often you should be checking output.
How long a child stays in the hospital after surgery varies. Some children can go home in a week or so, others who were sick before surgery, may need to stay longer.
Often the hospital will order ostomy supplies through a durable medical equipment (DME) company to be delivered to your home. If you are not sure about this, ask your nurse or care team if this is being done for your child. The hospital and your nurse will give you some supplies to take home while you wait for your supplies to be delivered to your home.
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Contact Us
United Ostomy Associations of America
P.O. Box 2293
Biddeford, ME 04005-2293
Call us toll-free at: 1-800-826-0826.
Our Information Line hours are Monday-Friday, 9am to 3pm EST. If you have an emergency, please dial 911 or contact your local medical professional.
Please understand that UOAA is a private, nonprofit, advocacy and informational organization. We are not a medical facility and we do not have medical or legal professionals on staff. Therefore, UOAA does not provide Medical, Mental Health, Insurance or Legal Advice. Visit UOAA Virtual Ostomy Clinic provided by The Wound Company for non-emergency, virtual ostomy support.
