Colon Surgery

The colon is also known as the large bowel or large intestine. The rectum is the last part of the colon. It is an organ that is part of the digestive system in the human body.

Laparoscopic colectomy – Also known as bowel resection, this is surgery where the surgeon will detach the large intestine from the surrounding organs and tissue. They will cut and remove the damaged or diseased part of the bowel which could be caused by diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease), cancer or stricture of the colon. The healthy ends of the intestine will be connected with tiny staples or sutures.

The advantages of this minimally invasive type of procedure are reduction of post-operative pain, recovery time, and may result in a faster return to solid food diet and return of bowel function.

A colectomy may also be performed by an open procedure. The type of surgery you’ll get depends on your condition. The location and size of the diseased or damaged colon are also factors. In some cases, your surgeon may need to change from a laparoscopic to open surgery during the procedure.