What is Colectomy—Laparoscopic Surgery?

This is a procedure to remove all or part of the colon. The colon, or large intestine, is the lower part of the intestines. In a partial colectomy, only part of the colon is removed. In a total colectomy, all of the colon is removed.

Colon © 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

A colectomy may be done to treat a variety of conditions, including:

• Colon cancer
• Inflammatory intestinal diseases (eg, colitis , Crohn’s disease )
• Intestinal blockage
• Trauma to the intestine
• Diverticular disease —small pouches form in the wall of the colon
• Precancerous polyps (eg, familial polyposis)
• A hole in the bowel wall or dead piece of bowel
• Bleeding from the colon

Possible Complications

If you are planning to have a colectomy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Damage to other organs or structures
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Hernia forming at the incision site
• Blood clots
• Complications from general anesthesia

Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Neurological, heart, or lung conditions
• Age: older than 70 years
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Previous abdominal surgery
• Infection

Call Your Doctor

After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills
• Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or any discharge from the incision site *...