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In the past you had an artificial anus in the mid-section of your small intestine. This artificial anus has now been surgically sealed.

The intestines are made up of the small intestine and the large intestine or colon. Most of the nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine. The large intestine (colon) is where water and salt are withdrawn from the stool. The last segment of the large intestine (colon) is the rectum. Stool then leaves the body through the anus.

An artificial anus is an additional opening from the intestines. An artificial anus is attached with surgery. Thanks to the artificial anus, the intestines have a connection to the outside through the wall of the abdomen. As a result, the intestines’ contents are excreted directly via the opening in the abdominal wall.

An artificial anus can be attached if a part of the intestines or anus had to be removed because of a disease or injury. Sometimes you will also have an artificial anus for only a certain period to protect the intestines and anus. When an artificial anus is then closed, the intestines’ contents are usually excreted along normal paths via the anus once more.

To close an artificial anus, it is first detached from the abdominal wall. The lower end of the intestine which has been closed is then reopened and connected to the upper end of the intestine. The upper end of the intestine previously formed the artificial anus. The connected intestine is then replaced in the abdomen and the opening in the abdominal wall is sealed.