Index
It is a surgical procedure to remove all or part of the colon.
When only part of the colon is removed, it is called partial colectomy . The procedure is also known as intestinal resection.
The colon is part of the body’s digestive system. The digestive system removes and processes nutrients (vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins and water) from food and helps eliminate waste material from the body.
The digestive system
The digestive system is formed by the esophagus, the stomach and the small and large intestine. The first 6 feet of the large intestine is called the large intestine or colon. The last 6 inches are the rectum and the anal canal. The anal canal ends at the opening of the large intestine to the outside of the body.
Open procedure versus laparoscopic procedure
In an open colectomy, a long incision is made in the wall of the abdomen and doctors can see the colon directly. In a laparoscopically assisted colectomy, several small incisions are made and a thin, lighted tube connected to a video camera is inserted through an opening to guide the surgery.
The surgical instruments are inserted through the other openings to perform the surgery. Collectomy surgery often requires other procedures to reattach the remaining parts of the digestive system to allow waste to leave the body.
Diseases and conditions treated
The following conditions may require a partial or total colectomy:
- Intestinal obstruction: an emergency in which the colon is blocked and may require colectomy
- Intestinal perforation: a torn colon, an emergency that may require colectomy.
- Crohn’s disease : When conservative measures fail, removal of the affected part of the colon can relieve symptoms.
- Colon cancer.
- Poliposis adenomatosa familiar.
- Lynch syndrome.
- Precancerous colon polyps with a high risk of developing colon cancer.
- Ulcerative Colitis .
Risks of surgery
The colectomía can have serious complications according to the general health of the patient, the type of colectomy and if it requires the surgical technique. These may include:
- Deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the legs).
- Pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs).
- Intestinal obstruction caused by scar tissue as a result of an infection.
- Injury to the bladder, small intestine and other nearby organs.
- Tears in sutures that were used to reconnect parts of the digestive system.
You will need a full evaluation by your medical team. This is done to stage your cancer and plan your surgery. This may include special x-rays, blood tests and an EKG. It is possible to have a colonoscopy.
This is a procedure to look inside your colon and rectum. It is done with a flexible and illuminated scope and a small video camera.
Before the procedure
Your intestines must be empty for surgery. You must make changes in your food and drink intake the days before surgery.
You may need to do a bowel preparation 1 to 2 days before the procedure. This may include a laxative and enemas to clean the bowel.
You may be asked to drink only clear liquids or broth the day before surgery. You may also be asked not to eat or drink until 12 hours before the procedure.
You may need to stop taking some medications the week before surgery. This includes any medication that dilutes the blood.
During the procedure
You will have general anesthesia for surgery. This is a medication that causes you to sleep during the procedure. For an open colectomy, the surgeon will make a long cut (incision) in your stomach.
For an assisted laparoscopic colectomy, he or she will make several smaller incisions. The surgeon will remove part of your colon. The 2 open ends of the colon will be joined or a stoma will be created.
The lymph nodes near the cancer site will be eliminated. Surgeons often remove at least 12 of these lymph nodes. Once the surgery is done, the incision closes.
After the procedure, you will probably be in the hospital for 3 to 7 days. You probably also need to take painkillers for several days. You may be allowed some fluids as your colon begins to recover.
