Laparoscopic Gastrointestinal Surgery in India

What is a colectomy?

The colon (large intestine) is the last part of your digestive tract. This part of the bowel works to soak up water and store food waste. The colon is a tube-like muscle. This tube has a very smooth lining. The lining is made up of millions of cells. The colon in an adult is about 4 – 6 feet long. The rectum is the last 6 inches of the colon.  A colectomy is surgery to remove all or part of your colon.

Right Hemicolectomy

Part or all of the ascending colon and cecum are removed. The colon is then reconnected to the small intestine.

Left Hemicoloectomy

Part or all of the descending colon is removed. The transverse colon is then reconnected to the rectum.

Sigmoid Colectomy

Part or all of the sigmoid colon is removed. The descending colon is then reconnected to the rectum.

Low Anterior Resection

The sigmoid colon and a portion of the rectum is removed. The descending colon is reconnected to the remaining rectum.

Abdominal Perineal Resection

Part of or all of the sigmoid colon and the entire rectum and anus are removed. A colostomy will be made. A colostomy creates an opening in your stomach wall so waste can pass from the body.

Symptoms of Colectomy

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, fever, among many others. Prior to undergoing surgery, primary doctor or  surgeon will usually do tests (blood work, colonoscopy, barium enema, CT scan, etc.) to decide the cause of your symptoms. If you are found to have a disease that requires surgery, that is when a laparoscopic colorectal operation will be considered.

Description of Colectomy

Minimally access or laparoscopic surgery involves using multiple trocars (thin tubes) placed through 3 to 5 small incisions. These incisions are usually less than 0.5 cm (less than ¼ inch). Carbon dioxide gas is then used to slowly inflate the abdomen. A thin telescope is placed through one of the trocars. This allows the surgical team to view the inside of the abdomen on a TV monitor. Specialized instruments are placed through the other trocars to perform the operation. For colon surgery, one of the incisions is enlarged to remove the piece of colon. This larger incision can also be made initially, allowing one hand to be placed within the abdomen along with the camera and long instruments to assist with the operation. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia.

Advantages of Laparoscopic Colectomy Surgery

Results are different for each procedure and each patient. Some common advantages of minimally access colorectal surgery 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 access 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.