Colon Resection

Home » Colon Resection » Overview, Surgical Procedures

Overview

The large intestine, or colon, is the lower part of the digestive tract. Diseases of the colon are common, and more than one-half million surgical procedures are performed in the United States every year to treat them.

Indications for colon resections include:

• Colon cancer
• Diverticular disease
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Intestinal polyps
• Large bowel obstruction

During a colon resection, the diseased part of the bowel is removed and the two healthy sections of the colon are reattached. This is called an end-to-end anastomosis. If an anastomosis is not possible because of the extent of the disease or its location, the surgeon creates a colostomy. A temporary colostomy is made when the colon needs longer to heal after surgery and the anastomosis is performed later.

There are two types of colon resection: open surgery and laparoscopic. The procedure depends on the diagnosis and the individual patient.

Open surgery is the standard procedure for colon resection. Most resections are performed under general anesthesia (i.e., the patient is rendered unconscious). The abdomen is cleaned with an antiseptic, and a catheter may be inserted into the bladder to measure urine output and make sure the patient is well hydrated.

An incision is made in the abdomen and the diseased part of the colon is located. The surgeon seals the colon on both sides of the diseased portion. Then, the segment is removed and both seals are opened. The anastomosis is made using a surgical stapler, or it may be sutured by hand. This procedure is done very carefully to avoid injuring the organs that are located close to the colon. Operating time depends on the extent of disease and amount of intervention needed, but the procedure generally takes about 3 hours.

Laparoscopic colon surgery is a new technique that is rapidly gaining popularity. Advantages of laparoscopy include the following:

• Colon function normalizes faster
• Faster recovery time and shorter hospitalization
• Less postoperative pain
• Quicker return to normal activities
• Smaller scar

The surgeon makes about four or five small one-half inch long incisions. A laparoscope (a tiny telescope attached to a video camera) is inserted into one of the openings, allowing the surgeon to see inside the abdomen. Instruments are inserted through the other incisions and are used to remove the diseased section of bowel and reattach the healthy segments (end-to-end anastomosis). A slightly larger incision is usually made to remove the diseased section of colon from the body.

The surgery takes 2 to 3 hours. The patient may be out of the operating room more quickly than after an open procedure, because there is no large incision to suture.

© 1998-2008 Healthcommunities.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Colon Resection Resources

	Join Our Colon Resection Forum Do you have a question, want to share medical advice, or just need to discuss your situation with someone else having a similar experience? The healthchannels forum is a resource for everyone to share and discuss their health and medical needs with others.	Advertising Disclaimer
	Living with...Share your story Do you have a personal health story that you would like to share with others? As a source of free patient education, our goal is to provide our users with trustworthy information and support from others. That's why we've started our "Living with..." sections.
	Our "Living With..." support pages are a place to share experiences about living with a certain condition, disease, disorder, or illness and for loved ones of those dealing with health-related issues. Many people, especially when newly diagnosed, find comfort in knowing that others are having a similar experience. Help others by sharing your story. View stories already submitted.
	Stay Updated Sign up for our newsletter and receive important updates on the medical conditions that are most important to you.
Are you interested in becoming a nurse? Take this test. Advertising Disclaimer To quickly access health information from your website's browser, download Healthcommunities.com's healthchannels toolbar. Advertising Disclaimer