A colectomy is a surgical procedure in which the colon is removed. The colon is part of the large intestines, which is the latter portion of the digestive tract. A laparoscopic colectomy involves insertion of the surgeon's tools through multiple small incisions in the abdomen instead of the one long incision of a traditional open colectomy, making the recovery period is quicker and less painful. There are a few situations in which a colectomy necessary might be necessary.
Bleeding
A laparoscopic colectomy is sometimes used to treat excessive bleeding caused by various health conditions, such as colon polyps, which are noncancerous growths. People with an inherited condition called familial adenomatous polyposis can develop more than 100 of these polyps, according to the Stanford Medicine Cancer Center. The University of Chicago Medical Center notes that adenomatous polyps can bleed, sometimes excessively and uncontrollably. In the case of excessive bleeding, a laparoscopic colectomy is performed to prevent the loss of too much blood, which can be life-threatening. MayoClinic.com says a colectomy may also be performed to treat excessive bleeding caused by diverticula, which are abnormal pockets that grow out of the colon wall.
Severe Inflammation
If the lining of the colon is chronically and severely inflamed, a laparoscopic colectomy may be necessary. For example, MayoClinic.com notes that people with an autoimmune disease called Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis may undergo a colectomy if medication is not successful in relieving the inflammation.
Treating or Preventing Cancer
Colorectal cancer, which is cancer of the colon or the attached rectum, is the second leading cause of cancer death, according to the online medical library Merck Manuals. There seems to be a strong genetic component to colon cancer, as a strong risk factor for developing colon cancer is to have a family history of the disease. Ingesting a high fat diet or being exposed to cancer-causing agents such as air or water pollution, however, also increases a person's risk of developing colon cancer. If the cancer is not localized to one specific region in the colon, a section of the colon or the entire colon is removed during a laparoscopic colectomy.
Adenomatous polyps can also turn into colon cancer. In fact, if the colon is left intact in persons with familial adenomatous polyposis, nearly all will eventually develop colon cancer. Additionally, persons with a history of irritable bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, are also more likely to eventually develop colon cancer. Thus, a laparoscopic colectomy can also be performed as a preventative measure.
