Large bowel resection

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The large intestine

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

Talk with your doctor about these possible risks and complications.

Risks for any anesthesia are:

• Reactions to medicines
• Breathing problems

Risks for any surgery are:

• Blood clots in the legs that may travel to the lungs
• Breathing problems
• Heart attack or stroke
• Infection, including in the lungs, urinary tract, and belly

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Risks for this surgery are:

• Bleeding inside your belly
• Bulging tissue through the surgical cut, called an incisional hernia
• Damage to nearby organs in the body
• Damage to the ureter or bladder
• Problems with the colostomy
• Scar tissue that forms in the belly and causes a blockage of the intestines
• The edges of your intestines that are sewn together come open (anastomotic leak -- this may be life-threatening)
• Wound breaks open (dehiscence)
• Wound infections

Review Date: 01/24/2011
Reviewed By: Shabir Bhimji, MD, PhD, Specializing in General Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).