Colon Surgery (Colectomy or Large Intestine Surgery) in East Valley, AZ
The colon, also known as the large intestine, is a long, tube-like organ located at the end of your digestive tract. You may need to have your colon removed to prevent or treat a condition affecting this organ.
The official name for colon removal is colectomy. This is a type of bowel surgery that our team here at Surgical Professionals has years of experience performing. We’re confident we can help your procedure go as planned, starting with a consultation to discuss your health, symptoms, and any concerns you have.
To schedule a consultation for colon removal surgery in Arizona, please contact us at 480-892-2456. We operate at most major hospitals in the Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, and Queen Creek areas.
Who Needs a Colectomy?
Some of the most common reasons our patients receive a colectomy include:
- Uncontrolled bleeding from the colon
- Blocked colon (bowel obstruction)
- Colon cancer or prevention against colon cancer
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Diverticulitis
How is a Colectomy Performed?
A colectomy may involve removing all or part of the colon. Surgeries are grouped into four categories:
- Total colectomy (removal of the entire colon)
- Partial colectomy (removal of part of the colon)
- Hemicolectomy (removal of the right or left portion of the colon)
- Proctocolectomy (removal of both the colon and rectum)
All colectomies may be performed by open surgery or laparoscopic surgery. With open colectomy, the surgeon repairs or removes the colon through one long incision in your abdomen. With laparoscopic/robotic colectomy, the surgeon inserts a camera and other surgical tools into several small incisions in your abdomen. This option has fewer risks than open surgery and generally offers a shorter recovery time, but not everyone is a candidate.
Once your colon has been repaired or removed, the surgeon reconnects your digestive system to permit waste to leave the body. This may be done in several ways, including rejoining the remaining portions of the colon or connecting your intestine to an opening in your abdominal wall (called a stoma or colostomy). Most scheduled procedures can be done reconnecting your intestines rather than performing a colostomy.
Expect to spend a few days to a week in the hospital after surgery to give your digestive tract time to heal. Your medical team will also monitor you closely so any complications can be treated promptly. Once you leave the hospital, you will need a few more weeks of recovery at home.
Risks of Colectomies
The potential complications of a colectomy depend on your overall health, the type of surgery you undergo, and the method your surgeon uses. The most common risks include:
- Pain, discomfort, and bleeding at the incision site
- Deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the legs)
- Pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs)
- Postsurgical infection either in your incision or in your abdomen.
- Injury to nearby organs, such as the bladder, ureters, and small intestine
- Failure or leak from your intestinal connection which although very rare, may require additional surgery.
Schedule a Colectomy in Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Queen Creek, and Surrounding Areas
If you have been struggling with digestive issues or are at risk for colon cancer, meet with the Surgical Professionals team to discuss the need for having a colectomy. Our general surgeons have decades of combined experience performing abdominal surgeries. Rest assured that if we believe your condition does not require surgery, we will tell you so! We always do right by our patients, and we will guide you toward the treatment with the highest probability of a desirable outcome.
Please contact us at 480-892-2456 to schedule a consultation for a colectomy in Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Queen Creek, and surrounding areas. We can typically get patients in for a consultation within three days.
Please note that the above information is provided for general purposes only and may not apply to your specific situation. Our surgical capabilities may also be subject to change. Contact us to discuss your medical condition, determine the most appropriate treatment for your individual case, and confirm that we can address your procedure.