- Five small incisions are made in the abdomen through which the doctor will pass the laparoscope, a camera-like device that allows the doctor to see exactly what he is doing without opening up your entire abdomen. Your abdominal cavity will be inflated with gas to allow greater visibility for the doctor. Laparoscopic surgery greatly reduces the threat of serious infection and speeds recovery time. The doctor is able to watch on a TV screen to see the surgery.
- The colon measures approximately five feet. It attaches to the small intestine on one end and to the rectum on the other to allow waste to pass through your body. During the surgery, the doctor clamps each end of the large intestine and carefully cuts away the colon in sections. The colon is usually removed in three sections starting at the small colon: ascending, transverse, and descending (which attaches to the rectum).
- Finally, the end of the small intestine is attached to the rectum with stitches. The doctor makes sure that any bleeds have been sutured or cauterized, and that the abdominal cavity remains clean. Stringent attention is paid during this surgery to make sure that no fecal matter gets into the abdominal cavity, which can cause peritonitis, a serious infection that can result in death.
- In some cases, especially if the small intestine has been working overtime and needs a rest, the doctor will attach a loop of bowel to the abdominal wall, which allows waste to pass from your intestine to a bag, called an ileostomy bag, outside your body. This is usually a temporary condition, but in the event that this becomes a permanent solution, remember that with careful care and cleansing, there should be no telltale odor to the bag and no infection around the ostomy site.
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