Date : 10-Oct-2019
Why would you need a bowel resection?
Any surgery that removes tissue or any part of an organ is known as a resection. Bowel resection or partial colectomy is a surgery that removes a diseased or damaged part of the colon or rectum. This procedure can be done for many diseases that affect the colon, such as colorectal cancer, diverticulitis, or Crohn's disease. The objective of bowel resection is to take out the part of the colon or rectum where the problem is.
Depending on several factors your doctor decides whether you should have open resection or a laparoscopy. These include:
• The location and extent of the disease.
• Your general health.
• If you have scar tissue from previous surgery.
• Your doctor's expertise and experience.
Why It Is Done?
Bowel resection procedure is done to remove cancer or when the colon cannot function normally because of damage or disease. This is the most effective treatment for invasive colorectal cancer. Your doctor will suggest a Bowel resection if you have:
• A bowel obstruction.
• Colon cancer.
• Crohn's disease.
• Diverticulitis.
After removing cancer from the colon, your doctor may take out the lymph nodes near the colon and tested for cancer. Later these healthy parts of the colon or rectum are sewn back together.
What to expect?
Bowel resection is done either by opening the abdomen (open resection) or by laparoscopy, depending on the individual condition. For both procedures, you will receive a general anesthetic. This surgery usually takes one to four hours.
Laparoscopic Method
During a laparoscopic resection, the surgeon will use a series of small instruments and a camera inserted into your belly through small incisions. After removing the diseased part of your intestine using these instruments, they will sew the healthy pieces back together. The cuts will also be stitched up when the surgery is over.
Open Method
In an open resection, the surgical team will make a cut in your lower belly to access the bowel and to locate the diseased part of the intestine. The surgical team will clamp it, and remove it. If there is enough healthy tissue left, your surgeon will sew the bowel back together. Otherwise, you may have to receive a colostomy.
In most cases, a colostomy is short-term and can be closed after a while. If a large enough part of your intestine has been removed, the colostomy may be permanent.
Blog reviewed by: Dr. Patta Radhakrishna
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