What is a bowel resection?
Conditions and diseases of the bowel can be serious and impede the correct function of your intestines resulting in pain and discomfort.
Bowel resection is surgery that removes part of your bowel including the small intestine, the large intestine or the rectum and is used to manage and treat diseases and blockages of the bowel. Bowel resection surgery can be large (also known as colectomy or partial colectomy) or small.
Conditions requiring large bowel resection surgery
Conditions that are managed by large bowel resection surgery include:
- Colon cancer
- Blockages or bleeding of the intestines
- Abnormal twisting of the bowel
- Ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the bowel)
- Diverticulitis
- Infection
- Precancerous polyps
Risks associated with large bowel resection surgery
As with all surgery, there are associated risks including those related to general anaesthesia. Particular risks associated with large bowel resection surgery include:
- Problems or infection of the stoma
- Development of an incisional hernia
- Bleeding inside the abdomen
- Damage to other nearby organs such as the bladder and ureter
- Opening of the surgical wound
- Scarring
Recovery from large bowel resection surgery
A large bowel resection is a major surgical procedure. In most cases, Dr Ozmen performs large bowel resection surgery as a laparoscopic (keyhole) procedure with some rare possible exceptions. Although laparoscopic bowel resection is still major surgery and carries with it associated risks, there are a number of advantages of laparoscopic over open bowel surgery due to the smaller incisions used to perform the operation. These include:
- Faster recovery period (1-2 weeks laparoscopic surgery, 3-4 weeks open surgery)
- Less pain
- Earlier return of your bowel function
- Earlier discharge from hospital
- Less scarring resulting in better cosmetic appearance
- Reduced chance of incisional hernia
Small bowel resection
Some conditions that may require management by small bowel resection surgery include:
- Bleeding or infection in the small intestine
- Severe ulcers in the small intestine
- Blockages either through birth or as a result of scarring
- Removal of precancerous polyps
- Non-cancerous tumours
- Cancer
Some diseases cause inflammation of the intestine which may need surgical management, these include:
- Crohn’s disease
- Regional enteritis
- Meckel’s diverticulitis
Risks associated with small bowel resection surgery
- Diarrhoea
- Bleeding
- Collection of pus in the abdomen (could require draining)
- Development of an incisional hernia
- Problems absorbing vitamins and nutrients
- Infection
- Leakage
- Problems associated with a stoma (if formed)
Recovery from small bowel resection surgery
Small bowel resection is a major surgical procedure which Dr Ozmen performs as a laparoscopic (keyhole) procedure.
Although laparoscopic bowel resection is still major surgery and carries with it associated risks, there are a number of advantages of laparoscopic over open bowel surgery due to the smaller incisions used to perform the operation as outlined in the section of our website on large bowel resection surgery.
Arrange for an appointment
Dr Ozmen is available to consult with you to discuss your condition and what treatment is necessary and suitable for your individual needs.
Please call us at Sydney GI Surgery to arrange for an appointment.
