The history of colostomy in childhood.

The idea of performing a colostomy in a child was first brought up by Littré in 1710. It lasted, however, 50 years until the first successful operation was published. Especially in the 19th century various ways to approach the colon have been practiced with frequently disappointing results (lumbar, inguinal approach). Only at the end of the century, colostomy was used as a guide for a pull-through operation. With improved surgical and anaesthesiological techniques, colostomy has gained more importance as a temporary measure in order to postpone definitive surgery. Various new techniques have been developed within the same time. In our days, colostomy is a safe procedure and has a more defined place in handling children with imperforate anus and Hirschsprung's disease.