Colectomy

What is a Colectomy?

A colectomy is a surgical procedure that removes all or part of the colon. The colon, a part of the large intestine, is a long tubelike organ at the end of the digestive tract. A colectomy may be necessary to prevent or treat diseases and conditions that affect the colon. These conditions include cancer and inflammatory disease.

Types of colectomy

• Total colectomy involves removing the entire colon.
• Partial colectomy involves removing part of the colon
• Hemicolectomy involves removing the right or left portion of the colon.
• Proctocolectomy involves removing both the colon and rectum.

Why is a Colectomy needed?

A colectomy is usually done for colon cancer that's in the early stages. If the cancer is past the early stages, a more extensive colectomy may be a better option.

The procedure

First, you will receive general anaesthesia for the surgery.

For an open colectomy, Dr Taylor will make a long incision on your stomach.

For a laparoscopic colectomy, Dr Taylor will make several smaller incisions. Next, he will remove part of the colon. The two open ends of the colon will then be attached, or a stoma (opening) will be created. Lymph nodes near the area of the cancer will be removed.

Once the surgery is complete, Dr Taylor will close the incision.