Post-Colostomy Anal Discharge: Normal or Concerning?

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Hello everyone,

My dad had colon cancer surgery two weeks ago. And he's having colostomy temporary.  After about 12 days, he start to discharge through his anal which was something white and dark red like in the picture. This was on going for about 1 week but the discharge is decreasing more and more also less and less painful (his anal was very painful for the first and second days of the discharge). His doctor had prescribed him some antibiotics on the second days of this discharge saying he may had some infection or his wound not completely heal and his blood shown he had samonella thyphi h/o positive.

today as it's 20 days after surgery and 7th day after the discharge through his anal, he still have this this discharge but very small and no pain at all and his doctor said he's recovering and will be ok after a couple of day more with the antibiotics he's been injected.

however as the medical in my country is still limited, and we couldn't afford more advance medical facilities, so I'm still very worry.

I hope if anybody can explain me about this situation whether it's happens before for colostomy or it's a serious situation that need more checking.

Im very grateful with any advice/quidance/comments.

thank you very much. 
Ps, his discharge through his colostomy is normal.

Sophearot,

  The bloody discharge is normal after surgery.  His body is healing.  The rectal stump will still produce mucus and he will have discharge occasionally.  Normally, the first few days after surgery, they will perform an enema to clean out the rectal stump.  As long as he's not in pain and does not have a fever, he will be ok.  If he gets a fever, then something else might be going on in his body and he should go back to the hospital.  Make sure he finishes the course of antibiotics.

Bain

Hello Sophearot.

As Bain has said, this sort of anal discharge seems to be 'normal' after surgery. The various colours, textures and consistencies may vary depending on what is going on up there at the time.

For me, the first year or two was the worst in that during  the intitial wave of healing there was lots of dark brown discharge, where the blood and scabs were dislodging; This was followed by months /years of excess yellowy (& various other coloured) hardened mucus, which I eventually had to dislodge by irrigation. After what seemed an eternity, the mucus began to turn into a clear semi-liquid, which was much easier to pass out of the anal canal and catch on an incontinence pad. It has carried on like this ever since and the pains of the earlier time have subsided and no longer bother me.

I hope this account does not put you off too much  but things do eventually get better. Your dad is still in the very early stages of recovery and one of the main things he may need in this situation (apart from the sort of emotional support you can provide) is 'patience' and understanding of what is physically happening in the healing process. 

I hope that his road to recovery is relatively uneventful and short.

Best wishes

Bill

I had a colostomy several years ago and have about 8 inches of anal canal for want of a better description.  On a monthly basis a small poop or two will come out, usually the size of a large marble with a small one to follow.  Asked my Specialist and he said that it is perfectly normal, that the canal produces mucus etc. Which forms mini stools.  Hope this helps.  Fred