Large bowel resection

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The large intestine

Large bowel resection is surgery to remove all or part of your large bowel. This surgery is also called colectomy. The large bowel is also called the large intestine or colon.

• Removal of the entire colon and the rectum is called a proctocolectomy.
• Removal of part or all of the colon but not the rectum is called subtotal colectomy.

The large bowel connects the small intestine to the anus. Normally, stool passes through the large bowel before leaving the body through the anus.

Ascending colectomy; Descending colectomy; Transverse colectomy; Right hemicolectomy; Left hemicolectomy; Hand assisted bowel surgery; Low anterior resection; Sigmoid colectomy; Subtotal colectomy; Proctocolectomy; Colon resection; Laparoscopic colectomy; Colectomy - partial; Abdominal perineal resection

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You will get general anesthesia before your surgery. This will make you asleep and pain-free. The surgery can be performed laparoscopically or with open surgery.

Depending on what type of procedure you have, your surgeon will make one or more cuts in your belly.

In a laparoscopic colectomy, the surgeon uses a camera to see inside your belly and small instruments to remove part of your large bowel. You will have three to five small cuts in your lower belly. The surgeon passes the medical instruments through these cuts.

• You may also have a cut of about 2 to 3 inches if your surgeon needs to put a hand inside your belly to feel or remove the diseased bowel.
• During laparoscopy, your belly will be filled with gas to expand it. This makes the area easier to see and work in.
• Your surgeon will remove the diseased part of your large bowel.
• The surgeon will then sew the healthy ends of the bowel back together. This is called anastomosis.
• Then the cuts on the skin will be closed with stitches.

For open colectomy, your surgeon will make a 6- to 8-inch cut in your lower belly.

• The surgeon will find the part of your colon that is diseased.
• The surgeon will put clamps on both ends of this part to close it off.
• Then the surgeon will remove the diseased part.
• If there is enough healthy large intestine left, your surgeon will sew or staple the healthy ends back together. Most patients have this done.
• If you do not have enough healthy large intestine to reconnect, you may have a colostomy.