There are a number of conditions that could lead to damage of your large bowel. Luckily, the medical world has you covered. A procedure called a colectomy can remove the diseased sections to treat certain health conditions, and put the healthy parts back together in many cases.
If you have a colectomy coming up and are feeling nervous, you can rest easy because this procedure has been around for several decades. In fact, the first mention of a right colectomy to treat cancer was in 1893. It’s also fairly routine. More than 300,000 colectomies are performed each year in the U.S. So, you can look forward to getting on with your life after some recovery. Let’s take a closer look at why a doctor would recommend a colectomy, what’s involved in the process, and what you can expect post-surgery.
Why Would I Need a Colectomy?
A colectomy – also known as a large bowel resection – may be the chosen approach to treat several medical conditions. For example, Healthline explains one reason why it might be done is to tackle colon cancer. Other reasons may include removing pre-cancerous polyps or clearing intestinal blockages due to tumors or scar tissue.
Several other common medical issues might be addressed by a colectomy. They include diverticulitis, volvulus (twisted bowel), ulcerative colitis, and intussusception, “which occurs when one part of your intestine slides into another part of your intestine,” explains the source.