Colectomy is an operation that removes part or all of the large bowel. It may be performed for conditions such as tumours, severe inflammation including diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, bleeding and obstruction. The aim is to remove the diseased segment while preserving bowel function as far as possible.
The operation is done under general anaesthesia, either as open surgery or by keyhole or robot-assisted techniques through small incisions. After the diseased section is removed, the two healthy ends of bowel are usually joined together. In some cases a stoma, an opening on the abdominal wall, may be needed, either temporarily or permanently.
The operation usually takes two to four hours, and a hospital stay of about three to seven days is common. Many people return to usual activities within roughly four to six weeks, and bowel function adapts gradually over weeks or months. For tumours, the treating team plans the full course of treatment.
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The operation removes the diseased part of the colon, which can relieve pain, bleeding and obstruction. It is an important part of treating colon tumours and some inflammatory diseases. The benefit depends on the underlying condition, so a cure cannot be promised, and the treating team decides the appropriate plan.
It suits people whose colon disease calls for surgical removal, after the treating team has reviewed endoscopy, imaging, test results and general health. The surgeon decides how much bowel is removed and which technique is used.
Blood tests, imaging and an anaesthesia assessment are usually done, and you may be asked to follow a liquid diet and bowel preparation as instructed by the team. Tell your doctor about all your medicines and do not stop any of them, especially blood thinners, unless the doctor tells you to. Stopping smoking is advised.
Under general anaesthesia the diseased segment is removed, along with nearby lymph nodes when needed, by open surgery, keyhole surgery or a robotic approach. The bowel ends are then joined, and in some situations a temporary or permanent stoma is created.
You feel no pain during the operation because you are under general anaesthesia. Afterwards there is abdominal pain, which regular painkillers usually control, and it is generally milder after keyhole surgery.
Walking begins early, and eating progresses from fluids to solid foods. Heavy lifting is avoided for several weeks, follow-up with the team is important, and special stoma care may be needed if you have one.
The diseased segment is removed during the operation itself, and symptoms usually improve within weeks, while bowel function can take weeks or months to settle. The long-term outcome depends on the original disease and, for tumours, on test results and any further treatment.
They include bleeding, infection, leakage at the bowel join, temporary paralysis of the bowel, adhesions, a hernia at the incision, and blood clots in the leg or lung. Your doctor will explain these possibilities in relation to your condition.
Keyhole surgery leaves small scars and open surgery a longer one, and scars fade with time. A stoma, if created, may be temporary and closed in a later operation, or permanent, depending on the disease.
Often one to two weeks after surgery, if recovery is going well and there are no complications. The surgeon confirms the timing after a follow-up check.
