The opening is formed by drawing the healthy end of the colon through an incision in the anterior abdominal wall and suturing it into place.

This opening, often in conjunction with an attached ostomy system, provides an alternative channel for feces to leave the body.

Colostomy or ileostomy is now rarely performed for rectal cancer, with surgeons usually preferring primary resection and internal anastomosis,[3] e.g. an ileo-anal pouch.

In place of an external appliance, an internal ileo-anal pouch is constructed using a portion of the patient's lower intestine, to act as a new rectum to replace the removed original.

[6] This historical experience has been borne out, as today the conclusion still stands that most patients can successfully manage a colostomy as part of their activities of daily living.

Parastomal hernia (PH) is the most common late complication of stomata through the abdominal wall, occurring in 10-25% of patients,[10] even up to 50% by some estimates.

[citation needed] Clinical pilates-based exercises have been demonstrated to improve patients' core abdominal strength and to reduce the risk of a hernia worsening.