A colectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the
partial section or the entire large intestine (colon). The colon is a long,
tube-shaped organ at the end of the digestive tract. Colectomy surgery is necessary
to treat or prevent diseases and conditions that affect the colon. There are different
types of colectomy procedures: A total colectomy removes the entire large
intestine. A partial colectomy, also known as a subtotal colectomy, is a
procedure to remove only part of the colon. A hemicolectomy removes the right
or left part of the colon, and a proctocolectomy removes both the colon and the
rectum.
Who Is This For?
Colectomy is recommended as a treatment for various pathological processes. Among them, the most common are cancer, diverticulitis, intestinal obstruction, ulcerative disease such as ulcerative colitis that does not respond to treatment, etc.
Most frequent indications:
Treatment Duration
1-4 hours
Potential Risks & Side
Effects
The colectomy procedure carries a risk of serious complications, depending on the patient's general health and the type of colectomy performed. These complications can be:
Recovery Time
6 weeks
Success Rate: 95%
Alternative Treatments
How Does it Work?
Colectomy is the surgical removal or resection
of a diseased part of the large intestine or colon.
The surgery aims to remove:
What Does Colectomy Surgery
Involve?
1. Consultation for Colectomy
After you submit your request for information, you will take an online consultation to make sure that you are a suitable candidate for the colectomy procedure. During this consultation, your medical story will be learned in detail and you will be asked if you have had any current health condition, any allergies, any medication that you use recently, or any surgery that you have undergone before. The examination and test results will also be very useful at this consultation stage. With all of this information, we can evaluate your case individually and prepare a customized treatment plan for you.
2. Planning Your Trip and Choosing the Clinic
This is the stage where you choose one of the clinics and surgeons that we offer you according to your criteria. Once you choose one of them, we arrange the date and trip plan that suits you upon your requests.
3.
Final Consultation with Your Surgeon
When you arrive at the clinic, you will have a face-to-face consultation with your surgeon who will perform your surgery. Everything about your colectomy surgery will be discussed between you and your surgeon during this consultation. The surgeon will try to understand your expectations better and also make you understand what you should expect from your process. At this stage, it is very important to find the answers to all the questions you have in mind about your colectomy surgery. The surgeon will explain everything as clearly as possible and try to simulate the results, in order you to feel ready and comfortable
4.
Medical Examinations
Before the surgery begins, your surgeon will conduct medical tests to make sure that you are in acceptable health status for the colectomy surgery. Every patient is required to undergo medical tests to ensure that nothing can hinder the success and results of the surgery and if any risk observed, surgeons try to eliminate them first.
5.
Surgery
A colectomy is a surgical procedure to remove all or part of the colon or large intestine. In a partial colectomy procedure, the surgeon removes only a part of the colon. The intestine is then reconnected or an opening in the intestine (ostomy) is created in the abdominal wall to allow the contents of the intestine to exit the body. A colectomy procedure may be performed by using the open or laparoscopic-assisted technique. During an open colectomy, a long incision is made in the wall of the abdomen through which doctors can view the colon. In a laparoscopic-assisted colectomy, a lighted tube with a video camera is inserted into one of several small incisions made to guide the surgery.
In the
majority of cases, once the intestine is cut, the two ends are sutured end to
end immediately, allowing transit through natural channels. Otherwise, more
rarely, the digestive ends are blown to the skin for a certain time, and a
second intervention is scheduled to restore the continuity of the intestine.
What Should I Expect from Colectomy?
You
will be in the hospital for 3 to 7 days. After the second day, you will
probably be able to drink clear liquids. You will be able to slowly add thicker
fluids and then soft foods to your diet as your intestines begin to function
again.
After a portion of the colon is removed, intestinal problems may occur. The most common problems are diarrhea, constipation, excess gas production, and dehydration. These symptoms occur because normal functions of the colon, such as fluid absorption, have not yet returned to normal. These problems can be solved with careful attention to diet and fluid intake. Be patient and progress slowly. Smaller meals produce less gas. It is better to eat at regular intervals, at least 3 times a day.
The following foods are easy to digest and can decrease the amount and frequency of diarrhea:
Things You Should Consider Before Colectomy Surgery
FAQ
Is Colectomy Procedure
Painful?
You do not feel any pain or discomfort during the procedure due to the general anesthesia. However, postoperative pain can be experienced and to relieve this pain your surgeon will prescribe you proper pain medication.
What Are the Diseases and Conditions Treated with A Total or Partial Colectomy?
Where Is the Colon Located?
The colon, also called the large intestine, is the
portion of the digestive tract that follows the small intestine. We can
distinguish three parts: The first portion of the colon rises to the right side
of the abdomen (right colon). the abdomen from right to left (transverse
colon). The colon finally descends to the left part of the abdomen (left
colon). The very last portion of the left colon is called the sigmoid colon (or
pelvic colon). The intestine continues after the sigmoid colon through the
rectum.
Our team will dedicate their effort and time to help you choose the clinic best for you. Our goal is not just to find ‘a doctor’ for you, but to find ‘the right doctor’.