Laparoscopic Colectomy in Southfield, Novi, Livonia, or Howell, MI
A colectomy is a procedure to remove all or part of the colon. A laparoscopic colectomy uses a laparoscope, which is a flexible tube with a camera at one end. Several small incisions are made in the abdomen, and the laparoscope is guided up through one of them. Surgical tools are guided up into the other incisions.
There are several types of colectomy, classified according to how much of the colon is removed:
- A total colectomy, to remove the entire colon
- A partial colectomy, to remove part of the colon
- A hemicolectomy, to remove the right or left section of the colon
- A proctocolectomy to remove both the colon and the rectum
Laparoscopic colectomy is a minimally invasive procedure which is used to treat:
- Crohn’s disease
- Diverticulitis
- Ulcerative colitis
- Colon cancer
- Inflammatory bowel disease
In the past, colectomy surgery was performed as open surgery, which had a higher risk of infection, longer recovery times, and a higher risk of complications. Laparoscopic colectomy offers important advantages when compared to open colectomy surgery.
Consider that laparoscopic colectomy is:
- Minimally invasive because only small incisions are used
- Easier to recover from because there is much less bleeding and risk of infection
Laparoscopic colectomy surgery may be combined with robotic surgery to provide precise surgical technique. High-definition imaging and injected dye provide the surgeon with excellent visibility to perform the surgery.
Patients who have a laparoscopic colectomy typically require 2 to 4 weeks to recover. Common side effects include:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Low fever
- Irregular bowel movements for a few weeks
A colectomy is major surgery, and you deserve to be in the hands of an expert, your gastroenterologist. Your colorectal surgeon can help you heal and recover, so you can get back to living your life.