You may benefit from Colorectal surgery to deal with a wide range of bowel conditions that affect your daily life and routine. Eg Diverticular Disease/Cancer/Polyps.
You may benefit from Colorectal surgery to deal with a wide range of bowel conditions that affect your daily life and routine. Eg Diverticular Disease/Cancer/Polyps.
Colorectal surgery/Colectomy is used to treat and prevent diseases and conditions that affect the colon, such as:
• Bleeding that can't be controlled
• Bowel Obstruction
• Colon Cancer
• Crohn's Disease
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Diverticulitis
• Preventative Surgery
What is Diverticular Disease?
(Sometimes referred to as Diverticulitis) It is quite common, some of us do not know that we have it. Diverticular disease is where we
develop pockets or a few pouches in the colon, more commonly in the sigmoid colon.
The disease is more common in older people. Sometimes surgical treatment is not necessary. Other times surgical treatment is the only
solution. Symptoms Diverticulosis can cause symptoms that trouble a patient but few of the notable symptoms are as follows:
In case of Diverticulitis
• Alternating episodes of diarrhoea and constipation
• Painful cramps or tenderness in the lower abdomen
• Chills and/or fever
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss In case of Diverticular bleeding
• Red or dark red coloured blood in stools
• Dizziness
• Weakness
Fistula
An abnormal tunnel has formed between two parts of your body that are not normally joined.
Perianal Abscess
These can develop where a gland is blocked and causes an infection, pus collects which then forms an enlarged cavity near the anus.
Pilonidal Disease
Pilonidal means Hair Nest in Latin. This means that hair gets caught in the sinus near the cleft
or crease of your bottom and then becomes infected. They form pathways or channels between openings.
Anal Fissure
When the linings in your anus tear. Anal Fissures are caused where the texture of your faeces or stools has changed. For example, you have
become constipated or even had lose stools over a period of time.
Colectomy is a surgical procedure to remove all or part of your colon. Your colon, also called your large intestine, is a long tube-like
organ at the end of your digestive tract. Colectomy may be necessary to treat or prevent diseases and conditions that affect your colon.
Colectomy surgery usually requires other procedures to reattach the remaining portions of your digestive system and permit waste to
leave your body. There are various types of colectomy operations.
Total Colectomy - removing the entire colon.
Partial Colectomy - removing part of the colon Hemicolectomy
- removing the right or left portion of the colon.
Proctocolectomy - involves removing both the colon and rectum.
Colectomy carries a risk of serious complications. Your risk of complications is based on your general health, the type of colectomy you undergo and the approach your surgeon uses to perform the operation.
In general, complications of colectomy can include:
• Bleeding
• Blood clots in the legs and the lungs
• Infection
• Tears in the sutures that reconnect the remaining parts of your digestive system.
During the days leading up to your colon surgery, your doctor may ask that you:
• Stop taking certain medications.
• Fast before your surgery
• Drink a solution that clears your bowels
• Take antibiotics
Preparing for colectomy isn't always possible. For instance, if you need an emergency colectomy due to bowel obstruction or bowel perforation, there may not be time to prepare.
You'll spend at least a few days in the hospital after your colectomy, depending on your situation. Make arrangements for someone to take care of your responsibilities at home and at work.
Think ahead to what you might like to have with you while you're recovering in the hospital. Things you might pack include:
• A robe and slippers
• Toiletries
• Comfortable clothes to wear home
• Activities to pass the time, such as a book, magazine, computer or games.
On the day of your surgery, your health care team will take you to a preparation room. Your blood pressure and breathing will be monitored. You may receive an antibiotic medication through a vein in your arm.
You will then be taken to an operating room and positioned on a table. You'll be given a general anesthesia medication to put you in a sleep-like state so that you won't be aware during your operation.
The surgical team will then proceed with your colectomy. Colon surgery may be performed in two ways:
After surgery you'll be taken to a recovery room to be monitored as the anesthesia wears off. Then your health care team will take you to your hospital room to continue your recovery.
You'll stay in the hospital until you regain bowel function. This may take a couple of days to a week.
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