About

The surgical procedure involving large bowel resection is known as a colectomy. The purpose of this procedure is to remove diseased parts of the large bowel.

During surgery, the surgeon removes the diseased portion of your large bowel and reconnects two healthy ends. Depending on your condition, the surgeon may remove a part or all of your large bowel or colon.

If there is not enough of your healthy bowel left, the surgeon may choose to perform a colostomy. During this procedure, he will bring a part of the large bowel out through a cut in the belly. As a result, you will pass out stools through that part of the bowel instead of your anus after surgery. That is why it will become necessary for you to wear an ostomy bag over the bowel opening or stoma the entire time.

In most cases, a colostomy is temporary, meaning that you will have to wear the ostomy bag until your bowel heals. After your bowel recovers from the disease, the surgeon will perform another operation to reverse the colostomy. This surgical procedure is known as stoma reversal surgery.

Why may you need a large bowel resection?

A large bowel resection may be required to treat the following conditions.

• Colon cancer
• Diverticulitis
• Intestinal obstruction or blockage
• Infection
• Precancerous polyps
• Intestinal bleeding
• Ulcerative colitis

Risks associated with the large bowel resection

Although a large bowel resection generally benefits the patient by eliminating the life-threatening bowel condition, it can result in some complications. Some of those complications may include the following.

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Heart attack
• Difficulty breathing
• Blood clots
• Pneumonia
• Damage to adjacent structures

Preparing for a large bowel resection

You will need to speak to your doctor about all the medications you are taking at least two weeks before surgery. You may have to take supplements such as vitamins and herbs. You should also discuss with your doctor if you have any illness such as cold, flu, or herpes breakout.

Before surgery, your doctor may ask you to:

• Stop taking any blood-thinning drugs
• Stop smoking
• Drink plenty of water
• Eat extra fibrous foods

You will need to follow your doctor’s instructions on the day of surgery. You may have to stop eating or drinking at least 12 hours before the operation.

Bowel resection surgery

Your surgeon will give you general anesthesia before surgery to put you to sleep. The purpose of this step is to keep you from having surgery-related pain. The surgical procedure may be a laparoscopic or open colectomy.

During the laparoscopic procedure, the surgeon will make small incisions on your belly to insert surgery tools and a monitoring camera. It is generally a less invasive procedure compared to open surgery.

Open surgery, on the other hand, involves one large incision your surgeon will make to access your lower intestinal tract. After surgery, he will stitch the edges of that incision. This surgical procedure is generally required when the patient has to get his colon removed.

After surgery

After surgery, you will need to remain hospitalized until your initial recovery completes. It can be a prolonged stay if your underlying condition is severe.

You will need to be very careful about your diet intake after the procedure. Your nurse will educate you about everything in this regard during the hospital stay. After you get back home, you can contact your doctor or nurse whenever you have a question.