Stoma Closure

Your child may question why they have a piece of his or her intestine sticking out of their abdomen, this is a natural question and inquiry by a child. Luckily, it is very common that 6-12 months after transplant, the stoma has the possibility of closure. Stoma closure is usually a minor procedure that allows for reinstitution of continuity of the intestine with the rest of the intestinal tract, allowing for your child to pass stool out of his or her rectum. Normally, the stoma opening will close on its own and heal without complications. Once the stoma is closed, maintenance surveillance biopsies will have to be conducted through a colonoscopy or endoscopy, since a stoma will no longer be available for ileoscopies.