Colectomy usually takes between 1 and 4 hours.
After surgery, abdomen incisions are closed with stitches. Bowel resection surgery usually takes between 1 and 4 hours. The usual length of stay is 5 to 7 days in the hospital. Your doctor may choose to keep you longer if complications arise or if you had a large amount of intestine removed.
This is a major surgery. You'll need to check into a hospital. On the day of your surgery, you'll get general anesthesia. That means you'll go into an unconscious, sleep-like state so you don't feel anything during surgery.
Getting ready for surgery
Or you may need to have an enema. This is when a small amount of liquid medicine is inserted into your back passage (rectum) to help you empty your bowel. You'll usually need to stay in hospital between three and 10 days for bowel surgery, so make any necessary preparations for this.
Risks of bowel surgery
Your surgeon will talk to you about the risks and complications of bowel surgery. As with any major operation, surgery for bowel cancer has risks. These may include infection, bleeding, blood clots, damage to nearby organs, or leaking from the joins between the remaining parts of the bowel.
The most common complications following colorectal resection are infectious, wound infection or organ space infection, and gastrointestinal (GI) motility complications, including ileus and bowel obstruction.
You might be sitting in a chair within 12 hours of your operation. The day after, you might be walking around your bed. And within a few days you'll be able to walk along the hospital corridor.
After surgery for bowel cancer
After a big operation, you might wake up in the intensive care unit (ICU) or high dependency unit (HDU). You are likely to have a drip into your arm to give you fluids until you are eating and drinking again.
How long will I be in the hospital? If you are having colon surgery and you do not have any problems after your procedure, you may go home as soon as the next day after your surgery. If you are having rectal surgery and you do not have any problems after your procedure, you may go home 2 days after your surgery.
In many cases, people are able to use the restroom normally once they recover from surgery. However, there are some instances in which a large portion of the digestive tract must be removed or the bowel cannot be immediately reattached. In these cases, a temporary or permanent colostomy might be required.
The surgeon makes a cut of 6 to 8 inches (15.2 to 20.3 centimeters) in your lower belly. The organs in your belly are examined to see if there are any problems. The diseased part of your large bowel is located and removed. Some lymph nodes may also be removed.
Colectomy (Bowel Resection Surgery) A colectomy is an operation to remove part or all of your colon. It's also called colon resection surgery. You may need a colectomy if part or all of your colon has stopped working, or if it has an incurable condition that endangers other parts.
Keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery
Your surgeon makes several small cuts in your abdomen. They pass a long tube with a light and camera through one of the holes. Surgical instruments are put into the other holes and are used to remove the cancer. Generally, with keyhole surgery, people recover quicker.
Most patients having low colon or rectal surgery will have two ureteral catheters placed by a urologist.
It is usual to start with drinking fluids only, and then to gradually progress to eating food. The time taken for your bowel to recover after surgery, and for you to then start eating and drinking again will vary between different people and will also depend on which bowel surgery you have had.
It is advisable to take at least 2-4 weeks off work. The type of surgery you have had and the nature of your work will determine this. You may find it helpful to return to work part time if you can until you become stronger. Your surgeon or colorectal nurse will be happy to discuss this with you.
For example, you may need to take a laxative for a few days before the operation. You will also be asked to not eat or drink for a few hours before the operation. Your doctor or nurse will advise you about this. Before the operation, you will usually be given antibiotics to prevent infection.
Why the Procedure Is Performed. Small bowel resection is used to treat: A blockage in the intestine caused by scar tissue or congenital (from birth) deformities. Bleeding, infection, or ulcers caused by inflammation of the small intestine from conditions such as Crohn disease.
However, straight back with arms at your side, legs straight, and toes facing the ceiling is the best position. The position helps you keep yourself neutrally aligned. So when having doubt how to sleep, sleep on your back.
Follow a lower fibre diet and limit fruit and vegetables to one portion at a time. A portion is a small handful. Try to stick to regular meal times. Limit caffeine, fizzy drinks and alcohol.
After 48 hours you may sleep flat on your back, you may not sleep on your stomach or sides for four weeks. Fluids: Fluids are critical following surgery.
Can patients live a normal life after a colon resection? Yes, most patients have a successful colon resection procedure and go on to live full and comfortable lives. If there is an underlying disease, of course, continuing treatment may be necessary.
Constipation is common after surgery. Taking pain medications such as vicodin or percocet also cause the bowel to move more slowly. A stool softener, such as Colace, milk of magnesium, or prune juice may help. Diarrhea is also common after a colon resection.
Even though small bowel resection is a major surgery, complications are rare. The complications that can arise include: Infection. Scar tissue.