JSASA For Laparoscopic Colectomy
The colon (large intestine) is the last part of your digestive tract. This part soaks up water and stores food waste. It’s a tube-like muscle with a very smooth lining made up of millions of cells. The adult colon is 4 to 6 feet long. The rectum is the last 6 inches of the colon. Colectomy is a laparoscopic colon surgery procedure we use to remove all or part of your colon.
Why would you need a colectomy?
We perform colectomy to remove disease that is causing your symptoms, such as:
- Cancer
- Polyps
- Irritable bowel disease
- Bleeding
- Blockage
- Diverticulitis
- Volvulus
- Rectal prolapse
For most people, this will cure the problem or at least greatly reduce their symptoms.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of colorectal diseases include bleeding from the rectum, abdominal pain, change in bowel habits (new diarrhea, constipation, stool size, etc.), weight loss, anemia, cramping, vomiting and fever, among many others. Prior to surgery, your primary doctor or surgeon will perform tests (blood work, colonoscopy, barium enema, CT scan, etc.) to identify the cause of your symptoms. If you have a disease that requires surgery, we will consider a laparoscopic colorectal surgery procedure.
What are the advantages?
Results are different for each procedure and each patient. Some common advantages of minimally invasive colorectal surgery (colectomy) are:
- Shorter hospital stay
- Shorter recovery time
- Less pain from the incisions
- Faster return to normal diet
- Faster return to work or normal activity
- Better cosmetic healing
Many patients qualify for laparoscopic or minimally invasive surgery. However, some conditions may decrease a patient’s eligibility, such as previous abdominal surgery, cancer (in some situations), obesity, variations in anatomy or advanced heart, lung or kidney disease.
Complications
Complications are possible with any surgical procedure. The following are some complications related to minimally invasive colorectal surgery:
- Adverse reaction to anesthesia
- Bleeding in the abdomen
- Infection in the abdomen or wounds
- Intestinal obstruction due to scar tissue
- Leakage from the bowel
- Heart attack or pneumonia
- Blood clots in the legs or lungs
- Injury to other organs
Most people are able to go home 4 to 7 days after their surgery. Follow-up after surgery is extremely important. Patients usually make an appointment to see their surgeon two weeks after discharge.
