Colon Surgery

Colon Surgery Orlando The colon, also known as the large intestine, makes up the lower part of the digestive tract. This organ helps move waste material from the small intestine to the rectum and absorbs water and electrolytes from indigestible food, maintaining the body’s fluid balance. When unraveled, the colon is over six feet long.

Common colon conditions include colon cancer, diverticulitis, large bowel obstruction, gastrointestinal bleeding, inflammatory bowel disease and colon polyps. These conditions may develop as a result of aging, a lack of fiber, abnormal cell growth, genetics or several other factors. Patients with colon conditions may experience rectal bleeding, bloody stools, constipation, diarrhea and abdominal pain, although symptoms may vary depending on the type and severity of the condition.

Many conditions affecting the colon do not cause symptoms until they have progressed, reducing the number of treatment options. For severe conditions or those that do not respond to conservative treatment, surgery may be required to remove part or all of the colon. These procedure can usually be performed laparoscopically

Surgical Treatment of Colon Conditions

Colon resection is a surgical procedure that involves removal of a portion of the colon. This procedure can be performed to treat many conditions that affect the colon, including Crohn’s disease, volvulus, diverticulitis and benign and malignant tumors. During the laparoscopic procedure, several small incisions are made to insert the laparoscope and tiny surgical instruments. Your surgeon will perform the procedure through these incisions. The abdomen will also be inflated with carbon dioxide in order to improve the visual field for the surgeon and ensure successful results. A portion of the colon will be removed, its size and location depending on the patient’s individual condition.

Once the diseased part of the colon has been removed, the healthy part is sewn back together to restore proper function to the organ after surgery.

As with other laparoscopic procedures, the benefits of laparoscopic colon resection include:

Less scarring
Less bleeding
Shorter recovery time
Shorter hospital stay
Reduced risk of complications

Small Intestine Surgery

The small intestine connects the stomach to the colon and is responsible for the absorption of nutrients. Many conditions such as ulcers, tumors, Crohn’s disease and obstruction to mention a few, can affect the small intestine. Some can be treated medically while others may require surgery. These can usually be performed laparoscopically.