Surgical procedure removing part or entire colon, explaining its purposes and processes
Understanding Colectomy: A Guide to Colon Surgery
Colectomy is a surgical procedure used to remove diseased or damaged sections of the colon. This article provides an overview of the various types of colectomy procedures, their purposes, and what to expect during and after the surgery.
Preparing for Colectomy
Before undergoing colectomy, it is essential to have a discussion with the anesthetist regarding allergies, preexisting health conditions, loose teeth, and details on alcohol or drug use. On the day of the surgery, one should refrain from eating 4 hours before the procedure and bring items like their prescription medications, insurance information, and comfortable clothing [1].
Types of Colectomy Procedures
Colectomies come in several forms, each designed to treat specific conditions such as colon cancer, inflammatory diseases, or obstruction. The main types include:
- Right Hemicolectomy: This procedure removes the right portion of the colon, including the cecum and ascending colon. It is commonly performed for cancers located in this region [2].
- Partial Colectomy (Segmental Colectomy): This involves removing only the diseased section of the colon. The exact segment removed depends on the tumor or disease location [5].
- Laparoscopic Colectomy: A minimally invasive approach where small incisions and a laparoscope are used to remove the affected colon segment. This technique allows precise removal with less trauma and quicker recovery [3][4].
- Other types (implied, though not explicitly detailed in the excerpts): These include left hemicolectomy (removal of left colon), transverse colectomy (removal of transverse colon), sigmoid colectomy, or total colectomy involving different colon portions depending on disease location.
The Surgery
Colectomies are performed under general anesthetic and can be laparoscopic-assisted or open surgery. In open colectomy, a surgeon accesses the colon through an incision in the abdomen and removes the section of the colon that is diseased or damaged [1]. During laparoscopic colectomy, a surgeon inserts tiny flexible ports or tubes through incisions in the abdomen to remove the diseased or damaged portion of the colon [3].
Recovery and Risks
Most people stay in the hospital for 3-4 days after laparoscopic-assisted or open colectomies, unless there are complications. Many people return to their regular activities 1-2 weeks after laparoscopic-assisted surgery and 2-3 weeks after open surgery [6].
However, colectomy does carry risks, such as leakage of the colon contents into the abdomen, infections, pneumonia and other lung problems, blood clots in veins or the lungs, postoperative bleeding, gastrointestinal fistula, organ or tissue adhesions, stroke or heart attack, and death [7].
Stoma and Ostomy
In some cases, a surgeon may create a stoma, a portion of the intestine that allows waste to exit the body, and a colostomy bag is attached to it [1]. Common ostomies include colostomy, where stool is diverted through a stoma made from the colon brought to the abdominal surface, and ileostomy, where stool is diverted through an opening made from the ileum (last part of the small intestine) when the colon is not usable or removed [5].
Post-Surgery Care and Long-Term Outlook
After a person has their first bowel movement after surgery, usually within 3-4 days, they can return to eating normally [8]. The long-term outlook after colectomy depends on several factors, including the severity or extent of colon disease or damage, how much of the colon and surrounding tissues the surgeon removed, any complications that occurred during or after surgery, the person's overall health, the person's age, and the person's reported quality of life and symptoms after the procedure [9].
A healthcare professional may prescribe chemotherapy or radiation therapy after the surgery to lower the risk of further disease [9].
Seeking Medical Advice
People should seek medical advice immediately if they experience symptoms such as continued nausea, vomiting, leakage or drainage from the wound, severe pain, abdominal cramping, fever, a bad smell or drainage coming from the incision, increased swelling or flushing around or over the incision, blood in the stool, a swollen abdomen, no bowel movements for 2-3 days, or any other concerning symptoms [10].
- For individuals with colon cancer or inflammatory diseases, a type of medical-condition known as partial colectomy (segmental colectomy) might be performed, where only the diseased section of the colon is removed, following the guidance of science and its advancements in health-and-wellness.
- During a colonoscopy, a medical procedure used for examining the colon, health-professionals may discover the need for a colostomy, a surgical creation of a stoma, if portions of the colon are removed and a colostomy bag is required to collect waste.
- After undergoing colectomy, it is crucial to discuss with doctors about potential medical-conditions such as complications, as well as implementing healthy lifestyle changes in the pursuit of maintaining overall health and wellness.
