PrintColon Resection Overview
The large intestine, or colon, is the lower part of the digestive tract. Diseases of the colon are common, and more than one-half million surgical procedures are performed in the United States every year to treat them.
Indications for colon resections include:
- Colon cancer
- Diverticular disease
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Intestinal polyps
- Large bowel obstruction
During a colon resection, the diseased part of the bowel is removed and the two healthy sections of the colon are reattached. This is called an end-to-end anastomosis. If an anastomosis is not possible because of the extent of the disease or its location, the surgeon creates a colostomy. A temporary colostomy is made when the colon needs longer to heal after surgery and the anastomosis is performed later.
Types of Surgical Procedures
There are two types of colon resection: open surgery and laparoscopic surgery. The type of procedure performed depends on the diagnosis and the individual patient.
