What is a "double barrel" colostomy?

A "double barrel" colostomy is characterized by a procedure in which the colon is divided, and both ends are brought out through the abdominal wall, resulting in two separate stomas. This technique is often utilized to divert fecal matter temporarily while allowing part of the bowel to heal or as a permanent solution due to certain medical conditions.

In this type of colostomy, one stoma is designated for the passage of stool, while the other may be used for the passage of mucus from the bowel. This design facilitates bowel management by separating fecal matter from mucus, providing a means for the patient to still have some bowel function, though in a modified way.

The other options discuss different concepts that do not accurately define a double barrel colostomy. A single opening in the abdomen would refer to a typical colostomy rather than the two stomas involved in a double barrel setup. The description of a temporary stoma may relate to other procedures but not specifically to the double barrel method, which can be either temporary or permanent. Lastly, a non-surgical treatment option does not pertain to colostomy procedures, which are inherently surgical in nature.