Laparoscopic Colon Resection in Reston, VA
What is a Laparoscopic Colon Resection?
A colectomy, or colon resection, can be a removal of either part of the colon, or the entire colon. Depending on the reason for the colectomy, your doctor will determine what part of the colon needs to be removed. Most often, colectomies are used to treat the following:
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBS)
- Polyps
- Colon or Rectal Cancer
- Diverticulitis
- Crohn’s Disease
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Bleeding
A laparoscopic colectomy is effectively a minimally invasive version of a conventional colectomy. Instead of using a long incision on the abdomen, a laparoscopic colectomy will require the surgeon to make several small incisions, allowing for less recovery time. The operation on the inside will still be the same as a conventional colectomy.
What happens during a Laparoscopic Colon Resection?
After creating a small incision in the abdomen, your surgeon will enter a small port into the hole in order to pump carbon dioxide inside and create more space. A tiny telescope connected to a camera, known as a laparascope, is then inserted through the port, allowing the surgeon to see a highly magnified version of your internal organs.
Additional ports will be inserted via separate incisions to allow the surgeon to work in different areas inside your abdomen. As the section of the colon that needs to be removed is freed, one of the incisions will be enlarged to remove the colon. After this, the surgeon will reconnect the remaining ends of the colon, and then close the incisions using sutures.
Benefits of a Laparoscopic Colon Resection
While the results will depend on the type of procedure and the patient’s current state, the laparoscopic colectomy can have a number of benefits including:
- Shorter hospital stay
- Quicker recovery time after operation
- Quicker return of bowel function
- Better cosmetic results (less of a noticeable scar)
- Faster return to normal diet
- Faster return to normal activities
For more information about a laparoscopic colon resection, contact VA Womens Health today.
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