Also known as a bowel resection or colon resection, a colectomy is a surgical procedure during which a segment (partial or full) of your bowel is removed from your body. The bowel removed is usually diseased, dead, or damaged in some other way; this warrants removal from the body before sepsis can set in. Unfortunately, some colectomy procedures will remove enough bowel from the body一 including a margin of healthy tissue for reconnection一 to warrant an external port that will discharge fecal matter. Let’s take a look at some common questions we hear at Colorectal Clinic of Tampa Bay.
Why Is Colectomy Surgery Done?
A colectomy may be done for a number of reasons, as treatment for several kinds of conditions. The main ones include colon cancer, UC, and Crohn’s Disease.
Colectomy for Colon Cancer
Bowel resections are never done for poor reasons, and each resection is carefully weighed against other options. For some patients, colon cancer has invaded a part of the bowel and the best treatment option for them is to simply remove the cancerous tissue. If cancer hasn’t invaded the colon wall, your surgeon may be able to resect just the cancerous mass. If it has invaded the colon wall, you will likely be facing a partial colectomy.
Colectomy for Ulcerative Colitis Treatment
Ulcerative Colitis, also known as UC, is a colorectal condition that is characterized by chronic inflammation in the large intestine, often leading to perforations and ulcers. If left untreated (generally with anti-inflammatory medication and steroids), UC can cause parts of the bowel to become severely damaged. In cases where the bowel is unrepairable, your surgeon may recommend a partial or full resection of the affected tissue.
Colectomy for Crohn’s Disease Treatment
Much like UC, Crohn’s Disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that can cause ulcers and perforations; the main difference, however, is that Crohn’s can occur in both the small and large intestines. Treatment for the severely damaged bowels of a Crohn’s patient may include resection of segments of the small and large intestines.
What Happens During a Colectomy?
Since a colectomy is a surgical procedure, you will be put under general anesthesia. After opening up the abdominal cavity, your surgeon will identify the damaged and diseased areas of your bowel. Sometimes, since the damage can be visualized more clearly during surgery, your surgeon may find that the perforations and damage are more or less severe than they initially thought. After determining the best course of action, a section of the bowel will be removed, including a margin of healthy tissue一 this ensures that the reconnected ends are completely healthy. Your incisions will be closed up, and you will be moved to recovery.
For patients who have had a full resection, a colostomy opening will likely be placed. This is a small “port” that connects your bowel to your abdominal wall. When enough of the large intestine is removed, your body is no longer able to dehydrate fecal matter and dispose of it through regular bowel movements.
Life After A Colectomy
If you have to have a large portion of your bowel removed, you may be left with a colostomy bag一 also called a stoma bag. Your life will be different, but it will become the new normal soon enough!
Remember, a colectomy isn’t the end of the world一 especially if it means that your crippling digestive pain ceases! Curious about whether you’ll need a colectomy? Get in touch with our colorectal specialists today.