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Total abdominal colectomy

Definition

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.

Description

You will receive general anesthesia before your surgery. You will be asleep and unable to feel pain.

During the surgery:

• Your surgeon will make a surgical cut in your belly.

• Your surgeon will remove your large intestine. Your rectum and anus will be left in place.

• Your surgeon will connect the end of your small intestine to your rectum.

• Your abdomen will be closed, and your skin from the incision may be left open or closed.

Today, some surgeons perform this operation using a camera that is part of an instrument called a laparoscope. The surgery is done with a few small surgical cuts, and sometimes a larger cut so that the surgeon can also work by hand. The advantages of this surgery, which is called laparoscopy, are a faster recovery, less pain, and only a few small cuts.

Why the Procedure Is Performed

The procedure is done for people who have:

• Crohn disease that has not spread to the rectum or the anus

• Some colon cancer tumors, when the rectum is not affected

• Severe constipation, called colonic inertia

• Severe bleeding of the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract

• Poor blood supply to the colon, known as colonic ischemia

Risks

Total abdominal colectomy is most often safe. Your risk depends on your general overall health. Ask your surgeon about these possible complications.

Risks of anesthesia and surgery in general are:

• Reactions to medicines

• Breathing problems

• Bleeding, blood clots

• Infection

Risks of having this surgery are:

• Bleeding inside your belly.

• Damage to nearby organs in the body.

• Scar tissue may form in the belly and cause a blockage of the small intestine (this scar tissue is often called adhesions).

• Leakage of stool from the connection between the small intestine and the rectum. This can cause an infection or abscess. It can also turn into a fistula if the stool comes out of an opening in the skin.

• Scarring of the connection between the small intestine and the rectum. This can cause a blockage of the intestine.

• Wound breaking open.

• Wound infection.

• Hernia from the incision

Before the Procedure

Always tell your health care providers what medicines you are taking, even medicines, supplements, or herbs you bought without a prescription. Ask which medicines you should still take on the day of your surgery.

Before you have surgery, talk with your surgeon about the following things:

• Intimacy and sexuality

• Pregnancy

• Sports

• Work

During the 2 weeks before your surgery:

• Before surgery, you may be asked to stop taking medicines that make it harder for your blood to clot. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and others.

• Ask which medicines you should still take on the day of your surgery.

• If you smoke, you need to stop before operation. Ask your provider for help.

• Always let your provider know about any cold, flu, fever, herpes breakout, or other illnesses you may have before your surgery.

The day before your surgery:

• Follow your surgeon's instructions about what to eat and drink. You may be asked to drink only clear liquids, such as broth, clear juice, and water at some point during the day.

• You will be told when to stop eating and drinking. You may be asked to stop eating solid food after midnight, but you might be able to have clear liquids up until 2 hours before surgery.

• Your surgeon may ask you to use enemas or laxatives to clear out your intestines. You will get instructions on how to use them.

On the day of your surgery:

• Take the medicines you were told to take with a small sip of water.

• You will be told when to arrive at the hospital.

After the Procedure

You will be in the hospital for 3 to 7 days in most cases. By the second day, you will probably be able to drink clear liquids. You will slowly be able to add thicker fluids and then soft foods to your diet as your bowels begin to work again.

Outlook (Prognosis)

After this procedure, you can expect to have 4 to 6 bowel movements a day. You may need more surgery and an ileostomy if you have Crohn disease and it spreads to your rectum.

Most people who have this surgery recover fully. They are able to do most of the activities they were doing before their surgery. This includes most sports, travel, gardening, hiking, and other outdoor activities, and most types of work.

References

Galandiuk S, Netz U, Morpurgo E, Tosato SM, Abu-Freha N, Ellis CT. Colon and rectum. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 52.

Raza A, Araghizadeh F. Ileostomies, colostomies, pouches, and anastomoses. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 117.

Review Date: 9/30/2024

Reviewed By: Jonas DeMuro, MD, Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery with added Qualifications in Surgical Critical Care, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.