Nissen fundoplication

Hernia Repair

Colectomy

Cardiomyotomy
(Heller Myotomy)

Splenectomy

Cholecystectomy

Adrenalectomy

Gastric Bypass

Glossary

Members of
SAGES

The Society
of American
Gastrointestinal
Endoscopic
Surgeons

Laparoscopic Colectomy

People who require surgery for diverticulitis or colon polyps will have Dr. Shikora or Dr. Tarnoff perform a colectomy, also known as a primary bowel resection. During this procedure the doctor will remove the diseased part of the intestine, then reconnect the healthy segments of your colon (anastomosis).

Whether or not one can be considered for laparoscopic surgery depends on several factors. If it’s possible to have laparoscopic surgery rather than open surgery, one can expect to leave the hospital more quickly, heal faster, and reduce the potential for infection, and subsequent hernias when compared to open surgery. The latter requires the surgeon to make one long incision in your abdomen, while laparoscopic surgery is performed through three or four tiny incisions, through which a high-definition camera and surgical instruments are introduced into the area where the laparoscopic procedure will be performed.

Multiple Diverticuli in the colon

Scarring is minimal, usually unnoticeable, with laparoscopic surgery, and one can resume a normal routine far more quickly than is possible with the open surgery alternative. Numerous clinical trials have confirmed laparsocopic colectomies yield significant benefit when compared with conventional open resection.

Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis occurs when small pouches, called diverticula, bulge outward through weak spots in the sigmoid and descending colon — the lower portions of the large intestine. Nearly half of Americans older than age 60 have diverticula in their digestive system and they are treated usually with diet and lifestyle changes. However, if one or more of the diverticula become inflamed or infected, they can cause severe pain, fever and nausea. This is known as diverticulitus. If the colon becomes perforated, a massive infection is possible.

Many patients with diverticulitus may be managed with fiber therapy. Please feel free to call our office to discuss your case further.

Colon Polyps

Colon polyps are abnormal growths that arise from the lining of the large intestine (colon). They occur in two major forms - hyperplastic or adenomatous. Hyperplastic polyps are benign and pose no risk for future colon cancer. Adenomatous polyps are also benign but have malignant potential (precancerous). If left in place, these polyps can eventually develop into colon cancer. Since the adenomatous polyp is benign, removal of the polyp itself results in a significant decrease in the chances that a patient will develop colon cancer. When these lesions are too large to be completely removed by a colonoscopy, your doctor will recommend that the polyp bearing section of your colon be removed (colectomy). In such cases, laparoscopic colectomy provides a safe, minimally invasive alternative to standard open colon resection.