Colon, the lower end part of our digestive system, traditionally called the Large intestines is one of the most important part of our body. It serves as the final judge of what we eat. And it also servers a suction for nutrients. Diseases of the colon are common, and more than one-half million surgical procedures are performed in the United States every year to treat them.
Indications for colon resections include:
- Colon cancer
- Diverticular disease
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Intestinal polyps
- Large bowel obstruction
During a colon resection, the diseased part of the bowel is removed and the two healthy sections of the colon are reattached. This is called an end-to-end anastomosis. If an anastomosis is not possible because of the extent of the disease or its location, the surgeon creates a colostomy. A temporary colostomy is made when the colon needs longer to heal after surgery and the anastomosis is performed late
Two Types of Colon Resection
There are two types of colon resection: open surgery and laparoscopic surgery. The type of procedure performed depends on the diagnosis and the individual patient.
