Colectomy
When a blockage, cancer, or another condition damages the colon, your provider might recommend a colectomy, surgical removal of diseased or damaged sections of the large intestine.
What is a colectomy?
The colon, also known as the large intestine, connects the small intestine to the anus. When ulcerative colitis, colon cancer, or another disease affects the large intestine, you might benefit from a colectomy (also known as an ileostomy), a surgery to remove the damaged portion of the colon.
Our general surgeons provide advanced robotic colectomies for patients in East Central Indiana and West Central Ohio, giving you access to leading-edge care close to home.
With our team’s experience and expertise, you’ll have a positive surgical experience, from preparation to the operating room to recovery and beyond.
Conditions treated with a colectomy
There are many reasons your provider might recommend a colectomy or ileostomy. A few conditions it could treat include:
- Blockage: Scar tissue might form after surgery, preventing stool from passing through the affected section of the large intestine.
- Colorectal cancer: A colectomy removes the diseased section of the colon and a small amount of healthy, surrounding colon. This is often the primary treatment for early-stage colorectal cancer.
- Diverticulitis: Small pouches can develop inside the intestinal wall and become infected or inflamed. Removing the affected area of the colon helps relieve symptoms.
- Familial polyps: This condition causes hundreds or even thousands of polyps to affect the colon and rectum. These polyps often develop at a young age and increase the risk of colorectal cancer. A colectomy removes the damaged portions of the colon, which reduces cancer risk.
- Ulcerative colitis: If inflammation inside the rectum spreads to the large intestine, surgical removal of the colon can eliminate symptoms and cure the disease.
Minimally invasive and robotic options
A colectomy requires precision and attention to detail. Our experienced surgeons have performed many of these procedures using robotic assistance and minimally invasive options.
Robotic assistance offers our surgeons maximum precision and a clear view of the surgical area.
Laparoscopic surgery, like robotic surgery, also offers good results with smaller incisions. Instead of working through a single, large opening — as with an open colectomy — the surgeon makes a few small incisions. A tiny video camera provides a clear view of the surgical site, and the surgeon operates using small instruments.
Types of colectomy
Depending on the extent of your disease, your surgeon could perform one of these procedures:
- Hemicolectomy: The entire right or left side of the colon is removed.
- Partial colectomy: This is the least invasive option. Your surgeon removes only part of the colon and none of the rectum.
- Proctocolectomy: The most extensive type of colectomy, proctocolectomy involves removing the entire colon and rectum.
- Subtotal colectomy: During this procedure, the surgeon removes a larger part of the colon than in a partial colectomy while leaving your rectum intact.
- Total colectomy: As with proctocolectomy, the surgeon removes the entire colon. The rectum, however, remains in place.
Surgical Services
Get ready for surgery
Before your colectomy, our board-certified surgeons ensure you’re prepared for the procedure. This presurgical preparation helps ensure you’re as healthy as possible before your surgery. If any issues that could cause surgical complications are found, you’ll be referred to your primary care provider or specialist so those issues can be resolved. Whatever you need, our care team walks you through the process, so you feel confident at every step.
You’ll receive instructions from your surgical team before your procedure. Your surgeon might ask you not to eat or drink for a few hours before, and you might need to empty your large intestine with enemas or laxatives before arriving at the hospital for surgery.
While some of the presurgical preparation will be done by your surgical team, you might be referred to the Reid Health Perioperative Care. Our perioperative care teams see if you have medical conditions that might affect the outcome of your surgery and connect you to the care you need to manage those conditions and make your surgery as safe as possible.
After surgery
Whether your surgeon uses an open or minimally invasive approach, you’ll remain in the hospital for three or four days. It’ll likely take this long to have your first post-surgical bowel movement. Once you return home, you’ll need to follow up with your surgical team to ensure a full recovery.