What is Colectomy—Open Surgery?

This is an operation 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 your colon is removed. In a total colectomy, all of your colon is removed.

Colon © 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

A colectomy may be performed to treat a variety of conditions, including the following:

• Colorectal 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, especially those seen in 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:

• Having neurological, heart, or lung conditions

• Age: older than 70 years

• Obesity

• Smoking

• Previous abdominal surgery

• Active 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...