Colectomy Surgery – What I Need to Know about it

Colectomy Surgery in Chandigarh – Colectomy is a surgical procedure used to eliminate a part or all of the large intestine (colon). Your colorectal surgeon may advise a colectomy to deal with inflamed colon triggered by Crohn’s disease or colitis. It can additionally be done to deal with colon cancer as well as severe constipation. There are plenty of other reasons for which partial or complete colectomy is done; let’s find out below.

What is the colon?

The colon is another name for the big intestine. Some doctor call it the large bowel. The colon appears like a long, winding tube. It covers from right side of your belly to the left, making a square-like form. It extends almost 5 feet in size. It begins where the small intestine (ileum) finishes, and goes across the belly to end at the anus.

It has various parts, which are listed in the diagram below.

What is the role of colon:

It assists your body digest food. Following are the steps of food movement in the colon:

• Food goes into the colon from the small intestine.
• As food moves via the colon, water gradually gets taken in.
• Not absorbed food waste heads to the rectum as stool.
• Stool exits the body with the rectum when you poop or faeces or poo

Why is a colectomy done?

There are various diseases for which this procedure is done. As specified above, the removal of colon could be partial, segmental or complete. Several diseases for which it is done are:

• Ulcerative colitis
• Crohn disease
• Amoebic colitis
• Ischaemic colitis
• Colon Cancer
• Diverticulitis and its complications
• Vascular malformation causing bleeding
• Chronic constipation
• Other infections causing colitis
• Colonic obstruction called intestinal obstruction
• Volvulus
• Intussception
• Multiple polyps

In many cases, colorectal surgeon may advise colectomy surgical procedure as the best method to treat an illness, such as colon cancer. Other times, colectomy is considered as a less-invasive treatment choice, when medicines fail to control the disease. Less commonly, doctors may require to carry out a colectomy to remove a blockage or stop haemorrhaging in your colon.

Also See: Colon Cancer Surgeon in Chandigarh

What is a total colectomy?

Many nomenclatures are used based on the area of the colon gotten rid of through a procedure. During a total colectomy, a colorectal surgeon removes the whole colon.

What is a partial colectomy?

Partial colectomy describes any kind of colectomy surgical treatment that involves removing one part of the large intestine.

Kinds of partial colectomy surgical procedures consist of:.

• Hemicolectomy: Right or left part of the colon is removed
• Extended Right Hemicolectomy: Right colon along with a part of left colon is removed.
• Proctocolectomy: A colorectal surgeon gets rid of some or all of the colon plus the rectum.
• Sigmoidectomy: This procedure entails removing the bottom area of the colon. This section, the sigmoid colon, is next to the rectum. It’s also called sigmoid colectomy.
• High Anterior Resection: In this part of sigmoid colon and upper rectum are removed.

What is a laparoscopic or Robotic colectomy?

Colorectal surgeons perform the abovementioned surgeries by various methods. These are:

Open surgery: A specialist makes one or even more long incision to enter the abdomen to remove or repair the colon.

Laparoscopic colectomy: A specialist makes numerous tiny incisions. Long, advanced, flexible tools (with a video camera) is inserted inside the tummy via these cuts. The camera presents amplified pictures from inside your body onto a TV monitor by the side of the operating table. The surgeon does the surgery as required. A small incision is used to remove the resected colon.

Robotic Colectomy: This is another latest method to do the surgery. It’s done through small incisions and long flexible instruments, but the instruments are help by a robot controlled by the surgeon. Surgeon gets a 3D vies from his console. The procedure remains the same as described in laparoscopic surgery.

Also See: Rectal Cancer Surgeon in Chandigarh

What’s the distinction in between a colectomy and a colostomy?

Not all colectomy surgeries need a colostomy. If your specialist can reconnect both ends of healthy colon cells, no colostomy is required. Many a times, a colostomy is required along with the colectomy and it could be a temporary or a permanent colostomy.

What is a colostomy:

It involves making an opening (called a stoma) in the abdominal wall surface when the healthy and balanced end of the colon is brought out as a stoma. The waste matter is collected in a plastic bag (called a colostomy bag) covering the stoma. This water-proof bag accumulates waste from the digestive system tract. You will need to empty this bag throughout the day.

Is a colostomy irreversible?

Not always. Many people just require a colostomy momentarily while their colon heals. During a second operation, your colorectal. surgeon reconnects the colon and also removes the colostomy bag. In specific situations, a colostomy is permanent.

How much time is taken for a colectomy?

Colectomy surgical treatment may take as low as one hr or longer than 4 hours. Much depends on what the surgical treatment entails, including how much colon needs to be removed.

What are the prospective dangers or complications of colectomy?

Issues are usually rare. They can occur after any type of surgery. Possible difficulties of colectomy consist of:

• Blood loss.
• Infection.
• Blood clots.
• Leak from a joint connecting two parts of the colon
• Injury to neighbouring organs, such as the small intestine or bladder.

What can I anticipate after colectomy?

Recuperation from colectomy surgery is different for every person. A great deal relies on why one required a colectomy as well as what the treatment entailed. Recuperation might include minor or large modifications in how your body functions. These adjustments may be short-lived (for a short time) or long-term (long-lasting). All these issues will be explained by your surgeon.

Key Points about Colectomy

* Colectomy or variants are major surgical procedures.
* They are mostly safe as well as effective.
* laparoscopic/robotic surgery has made post-operative recovery quicker.
* Colostomy is not required in all procedures.
* Many a time, colostomies are temporary and done for your benefit.
* Patients with total colectomy needs to consume more fluids and water than before.
* With a total colectomy, one can lead a complete, energetic as well as happy life.

Also See Cervical Cancer Surgery in Chandigarh