Large bowel resection

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

The large intestine

Colostomy - series

Large bowel resection - series

Overview

Recovery

Risks

Large bowel resection

Definition:

Large bowel resection issurgery to removepart ofyour large bowel. The large bowel connectsthe small intestine to the anus.It is also called the large intestine or colon.

Alternative Names:
Large intestine surgery; Colon resection; Resection of part of large intestine; Colectomy; Proctocolectomy
Description:

Inmost cases, yourbowel is cleaned before the surgery with enemas and medication.

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The surgeryis performed while you are under general anesthesia. This means you are unconscious and pain-free.A cutis made inyour abdomen. The diseased part of the largebowel is removed and the two healthy ends of the bowel are sewn back together (resected). The cut is closed. If the entire colon and rectum is removed, it is called a proctocolectomy.

A bowel resection may be performed as a traditional "open" procedure or as a mimimally invasive laparoscopic procedure.

To help your bowel heal, a temporary opening of the colon through the abdominal wallmay be created. This is called a colostomy. The end of the bowel near the small intestine is then passed through the abdominal wall, and stitched in place. A drainage bag (stoma appliance) is placed around the opening.

In most cases, the colostomy is temporary and can be closed with another operation at a later date. If a large portion of the bowel is removed, the colostomy may be permanent.

The largebowel absorbs a significant amount of water from digested food. When the colon is bypassed by a colostomy, loose or liquid stool (feces) will collect in the drainage bag. Careful skin care and a well-fitting colostomy bag are necessary to reduce skin irritation around the colostomy.

Indications:

Large bowel resection is used to treat a variety of conditions, including: