Laparoscopic Colon Resection

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Introduction

Laparoscopic colon resection surgery is an advanced minimally invasive procedure to remove a diseased section of the colon.  Your colon is part of your digestive system.  The first part of the colon absorbs water and nutrients from the digested material that comes from the small intestine.  As the colon absorbs water from the waste product, the product becomes more solid and forms a stool or feces.  The stool moves through the large intestine and passes out of your body when you have a bowel movement.  The colon may become diseased because of a variety of conditions including cancer, polyps, diverticulitis, and ulcerative colitis.
 
Historically, traditional open surgery was the only surgical option for people with colon disease.  The traditional open surgery method is invasive and requires a large incision.  It is associated with significant pain following surgery, a relatively lengthy hospital stay, and about six weeks for recovery.
Laparoscopic colon resection surgery is an alternative to open traditional surgery methods for some people.
 
Laparoscopic colon resection surgery is performed with a laparoscope.  A laparoscope is a thin viewing instrument with a miniature camera at the end.  The laparoscope is inserted through small incisions.  The camera transmits images to a video screen, which a surgeon uses to guide the surgery.  Thin surgical instruments are passed through the small incisions to perform the procedure.  Because only small incisions are necessary for laparoscopic colon resection surgery, this procedure is associated with less pain, less bleeding, fewer complications, fewer days spent in the hospital, and a quicker recovery time than traditional colon resection surgery.  Laparoscopic colon resection is also associated with an earlier resumption of normal bowel movements.
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Treatment

General anesthesia is used for laparoscopic colon resection surgery, so you will not be awake for the procedure.  Your surgeon will make several small incisions in your abdomen.  Carbon dioxide gas will be inserted into your abdomen through an incision to inflate the area and increase the workspace and view for your surgeon.  Your surgeon will use the laparoscope and thin surgical instruments to remove the diseased section of your colon.  The healthy segments of the colon are reattached in a procedure called an end-to-end anastomosis.  When the surgery is complete, the carbon dioxide gas is removed, and the incisions are closed with stitches and bandaged.

You can expect to stay in the hospital about two to four days following your procedure.  With laparoscopic surgery, you can expect less pain, less scarring, and the return of normal bowel function earlier than with traditional open surgery methods.  Most people are able to return to work in about two to three weeks.

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This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.

The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Authors Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and Valerie K. Clark, and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD, Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. This content complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The library commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on February 16, 2022. For information on iHealthSpot’s other services including medical website design, visit www.iHealthSpot.com.

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