Colectomy

What Is a Colectomy?

A colectomy is surgery to remove part or all of the colon if it is not functioning correctly.

What Are the Types of Colectomies?

Partial colectomy—a portion of the colon is removed.
Total colectomy—the entire colon is removed. Part of the small intestine is often reconnected to the rectum.
Hemicolectomy—the right or left side of the colon is removed.
Sigmoid colectomy—the sigmoid colon, which is the S-shaped section leading to the rectum, is removed.
Proctocolectomy—the colon and the rectum are removed.

Why is a Colectomy Needed?

Your provider may recommend colectomy surgery for several reasons, including:

Colorectal cancer
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Diverticulitis
Bowel Obstruction
Polyps
Injury or trauma

UR Medicine's Approach

Before surgery, your provider will do a medical evaluation, which may include:

Bloodwork
Imaging tests
Colonoscopy

Your provider will explain how to prepare for surgery. This may include fasting, clearing the digestive system, and discontinuing some medications.

What Happens During a Colectomy?

A colectomy may be performed as a minimally invasive procedure or with open surgery. During the procedure, the surgeon removes part or all of the colon. They may reattach the remaining sections or create an ostomy if reattachment is not possible.

Recovery varies depending on the type of colectomy. Your provider will walk you through every step of the healing process.

What Sets Us Apart?

Our colorectal surgeons see a wide variety of conditions—from the simple to the serious—every day. As a result, we have a greater depth of experience than most colorectal surgeons, especially in handling complex or difficult cases. Our surgeons are all board-certified and have published hundreds of papers on colorectal disease and its treatments. They are at the forefront of their field and are regularly invited to speak and teach around the world.

As part of the only academic medical center in the region, we’re highly involved in research and clinical trials. This means you will have the most advanced treatments available to you, often years before they become widely available. For cancer cases, our medical oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, and other experts come together weekly to reach a consensus on the best treatment for you.