What Causes Impaired Bladder And Bowel Control After A Colostomy?

Posted on Mon, 9 Jan 2017

Question: if the urethra is getting clogged from previous surgeries and the bladder is then connected directly to the vagina, is it loose to move around among the bowls and intestines that are left after a colostomy.

Answered by Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes it can happen after a colostomy

Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to health care magic! Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. We will try to help you in best way possible.

First of all, it is sad to know what you had gone through. Based on the history you have shared, and other relevant details it is really so much that you have been through. I can understand the amount and magnitude of problems you have been facing. Since its not a natural way of going on with the bowel and bladder mechanism, and lot have been altered contrary to the natural anatomy so some related complications may occur.

Since as far as your query is concerned, If it's some pressure symptoms you are concerned about or been experiencing lately, you may need to be evaluated on ultrasound or a CT scan, as lose ends of bowels can give pressure symptoms on the bladder when filled, but one aftermyth of such extensive surgeries can be development of adhesions of supporting tissue around bowel which usually keeps the whole anatomy in place. Such symptoms can be experienced with development of such adhesions around bladder too.

Other possibilities are to rule out bladder infection by urinalysis repeatedly and cultures of urine should be done repeatedly as with such surgical modifications chances to get recurrent urinary infections also gets increased.

If their is any other detail you want to know about, feel free to ask. Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (5 hours later)

Thank You very much for your answer. I had a scan 5 months after surgery and surgeon said nothing showed up that was unusual. It is now 11 month after surgery and things have turned worse with pressure, pain and at times unable to void unless I stand up and stay that way for 2 to 3 min. I totally agree with you about the problem about adhesions of supporting tissue of the bowel and is also including the bladder. I have a cystoscopy planned. Would that show up any or some of those problems. I also plan to have my doctor to suggest that my surgeon order an ultrasound.
By the way, I am a retired RN so I do understand anatomy.

Answered by Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Proceed with cystoscopy

Detailed Answer:
Hi! Thanks for the feedback and appreciation. So that is the backround of your firm knowledge regarding anatomy. That is a good thing and you will be able to understand the issues in a better way. I would suggest you to proceed with the cystoscopy. As it may reveal some information about internal anatomy however may not reveal about adhesions. That can be seen best with pelvic MRI or diagnostic laparotomy. A repeat ultrasound may also reveal and compare between past findings and presents. Regards.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D