What is the colon?
Your colon is a long tube-like organ that’s part of your digestive system at the end of your gastrointestinal tract.
Your colon is involved in the digestive process in different ways. For example, the bacteria in your colon break down the remaining food material before it moves into the rectum — a storage-holder for waste. Muscles in your rectum help move the waste (stool) out of your body through the anus.
Why would I need colon surgery?
Colon surgery typically involves removing damaged and cancerous areas of tissue. Surgery might be necessary to prevent or treat complications and problems that can occur with the colon, such as:
- Severe bleeding from the colon
- Bowel obstruction
- Bowel perforation
- Cancer
- Infection
- Precancerous changes in cells in the colon
Surgery might be needed due to inflammation, complications, and damage to the colon from conditions like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or diverticulitis.
There are different types of colon surgery. A colectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures performed on the colon, involving the removal of all or part of your colon. In some cases, an emergency colectomy is necessary due to bowel obstruction or perforation.
How is a colectomy performed?
A colectomy usually involves general anesthesia. Dr. Klonsky provides both traditional open colon surgery and laparoscopic colon surgery. Minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery involves smaller incisions, advanced technology, cameras, and surgical tools, and a smoother and faster recovery.
With open surgery, Dr. Klonsky makes a longer incision in your abdomen to access your colon. He uses surgical tools to free your colon from the surrounding tissue and cuts out either a portion of your colon or the entire colon.
With a laparoscopic colectomy, Dr. Klonsky typically makes 3-5 small incisions in your abdomen. He passes a tiny video camera through one incision and special surgical tools through the others.
In the operating room, Dr. Klonsky watches a video screen and guides the tools with special robotic arms to free the colon from the surrounding tissue. He carefully brings the colon out through a small incision in your abdomen to operate on the colon outside of your body.
After making the necessary repairs, Dr. Klonsky reinserts your colon through the incision and reconnects your digestive system to allow your body to expel waste. Some colon surgeries involve a colostomy or ileostomy to attach your intestine to the outside of your abdomen, and an ostomy bag to collect waste.
If you have concerns or questions about colon surgery, call South Shore Surgical or use the online scheduler today.
