Bowel obstruction, cancer, or an inflammatory bowel disease may require removal of part or all of the large intestine.
Collectomy is a procedure that can remove all or part of your colon.
Surgery is performed to prevent or treat conditions that affect the bowel, such as:
Bowel cancer
Intestinal obstruction
Bleeding from the large intestine
Inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
Precinct colon polyps
Genetic conditions such as Lynch syndrome or polyposis
Sometimes, other procedures are needed after a collectomy to reconnect your digestive tract and get rid of the waste.
Types of Colectomy
There are at least four different types of colletomy surgery.
Total colitis (removal of the entire colon)
Partial separation
Hemoelectomy (removal of the right or left side of the intestine)
Proctoelectomy (removal of both colon and rectum)
This procedure can be performed as a standard open colletomy (requires a large incision) or laparoscopic collectomy (which requires several small incisions).
Discuss different options with your doctor. In some cases, you can choose which method is best for you.
The Colectomy Procedure
You will be given general anesthesia during your creation, which means you will not be conscious.
If you have a standard open colchicine, the surgeon will make a large incision in your abdomen and cut out all parts of your bowel.
If you are having a laparoscopic collectomy, the surgeon will perform the procedure through several small incisions in your abdomen.
One of the incisions is fitted with a small video camera, and the other incisions contain small surgical instruments.
Once all or part of the colon has been removed, the surgeon will reconnect your digestive system in the following ways.
Connect the rest of your gut together
Connecting the rest of your bowel to the opening in your abdomen (colostomy or islostomy)
Connect your small intestine to your anus
Before a Colectomy
Tell your doctor about your medication before your surgery. You may need to stop taking certain medications before this process.
You may not need to eat or drink for several hours before your collegium. Your doctor will tell you if this is the case.
Your doctor may offer you a solution to drink mixed with water at home for several hours before surgery.
This will help to clear your colon before the procedure. You may also be asked to use an enema.
Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics before the procedure to help prevent infection.
Sometimes quilcomy is performed as an emergency procedure, so you may not be able to plan ahead.
After a Colectomy
After your creation, you will probably stay in the hospital for three to seven days.
You may not be able to eat solid food right now.
In most cases, it will be about two to three weeks before you resume your normal activities.
Risks From a Colectomy
Collectomy can cause complications, including:
Infection
Internal bleeding
scar
Hernia (tissue bulging through the abdominal muscles, especially below the incision site)
Intestinal obstruction
Damage to nearby organs
Blood clots
A leak where the intestines are fed together