What does a total colectomy include?

Total colectomy involves removing the entire colon. Partial colectomy involves removing part of the colon and may also be called subtotal colectomy. Hemicolectomy involves removing the right or left portion of the colon. Proctocolectomy involves removing both the colon and rectum.

What happens after a total colectomy?

Diet After Colectomy. After having a portion of your colon removed, bowel problems can occur. The most common problems are diarrhea, constipation, excess gas production, and dehydration. These symptoms occur because the normal functions of the colon, such as absorbing fluid, have not yet returned to normal.

What organ is removed in a colectomy?

Procedure overview A colectomy is a type of surgery used to treat colon diseases. These include cancer, inflammatory disease, or diverticulitis. The surgery is done by removing a portion of the colon. The colon is part of the large intestine.

How is a total colectomy performed?

Surgery to remove the colon is done through an opening made in the abdomen to remove the diseased colon. The patient will also have a diverting ileostomy, ileorectal pull-through or ileoanal pull-through.

What happens when entire colon is removed?

Once your colon is removed, your surgeon will join the ileum, or the lower part of your small intestine, to the rectum. A colectomy allows you to continue to pass stool through your anus without the need for an external pouch.

How long is a total colectomy?

Colectomy usually takes between 1 and 4 hours.

Is a total colectomy major surgery?

A colectomy is a major surgery that requires a lot of healing time, but most patients recover fully and resume normal activities within a few months.

What is abdominal colectomy?

Total abdominal colectomy is the removal of the large intestine from the lowest part of the small intestine (ileum) to the rectum. After it is removed, the end of the small intestine is sewn to the rectum.

What is removed in a total abdominal colectomy?

What is a total colectomy and ileostomy?

A colectomy removes all or part of your large intestine (colon) and an ileostomy (a type of stoma) is then formed using the end of your small intestine. A stoma is an opening in your abdomen which is surgically created.