Hemicolectomy

Types of hemicolectomy are classified depending on where the pathology is located and which part of the colon needs to be removed. There is a distinction between right-sided and left-sided hemicolectomy. In the first case, resection of the cecum and ascending colon is performed. The second involves resection of the sigmoid and descending colon.

Advantages of conducting an operation in an EMC

Indications for hemicolectomy

Hemicolectomy is performed for diverticular disease, cancer of the rectum and colon, and some benign tumors of these organs. Emergency indications for this operation: ruptures of the colon due to peritonitis, trauma, gunshot or knife wounds, etc.

Hemicolectomy surgery

There are several ways to perform hemicolectomy: open, laparoscopic, and robot-assisted.

Laparoscopic method

The laparoscopic method allows for minimally invasive interventions. During hemicolectomy, the surgeon makes small punctures (no more than 1 cm) in order to insert instruments and gain access to the necessary organs. This method makes surgical intervention minimally traumatic, reduces blood loss and significantly reduces rehabilitation time.

During laparoscopic and robotic hemicolectomies, gas is injected into the abdominal cavity: it presses on the diaphragm and, as a result, on the heart and lungs. In the presence of diseases of these organs, this can lead to complications, so doctors choose an open method of surgery.

Robotic hemicolectomy

Robotic hemicolectomy is one of the options for laparoscopic surgery. At the EMC, it is performed using a high-tech da Vinci robot operated by a surgeon. During the operation, thin instruments are used, and the doctor can clearly see the surgical field thanks to high-resolution optics.

In the EMC, each clinical case is discussed at a consultation of doctors of different specialties. Together, they choose the most effective and safe way to perform surgery for each patient.

An open operation

Open surgery is most often necessary for patients with severe concomitant diseases (for example, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular diseases, repeated surgical interventions on abdominal organs, pronounced adhesions in the abdominal cavity, diffuse, diffuse, fecal and purulent peritonitis). During laparoscopic and robotic hemicolectomies, gas is injected into the abdominal cavity: it presses on the diaphragm and, as a result, on the heart and lungs. In the presence of diseases of these organs, this can lead to complications, so doctors choose an open method of surgery.

Preparation for the operation

Depending on the course of the disease, preparation for hemicolectomy can take place on an outpatient basis or in a hospital. On the eve of surgery, patients adhere to a slag-free diet, take special medications that cleanse the intestines, and arrive for a hemicolectomy the next morning. One of the main advantages of EMC is the possibility of preparing for hemicolectomy in a hospital, under the strict supervision of a therapist and other specialists.

Possible complications

After removing the affected part, the surgeon stitches two sections of the intestine. Defects may appear in the area of the anastomosis (junction): they often lead to internal bleeding or peritonitis. Infectious inflammations can occur in the area of soft tissues, inside the abdominal cavity, on the skin and at the site of postoperative wounds. Adhesive obstruction is also possible. The EMC has a full range of suturing devices available to minimize the risk of early postoperative complications.

Rehabilitation period after surgery

The duration of rehabilitation depends on the method by which the hemicolectomy is performed. With laparoscopic and robotic hemicolectomies, rehabilitation lasts about 4-5 days, with open ones – 1-2 days longer. After surgical treatment, EMC patients are transferred to the intensive care unit. The next day after surgery, in the absence of complications, the Center's specialists begin rehabilitation measures to return the patient to his usual life as soon as possible. As a rule, after laparoscopic surgery, the patient begins to move independently within the ward by the evening of the same day, and after open surgery – a day after hemicolectomy. After hemicolectomy, EMC doctors recommend restorative treatment at the EMC Rehabilitation Center in Zhukovka.

Contraindications to hemicolectomy

In the presence of severe concomitant pathologies, hemicolectomy may be contraindicated in the patient: most often these are diseases of the heart and lungs. Before making a decision on surgical treatment, an interdisciplinary medical council examines the medical history of each patient, identifies potential risks, and only then develops the most effective and safe treatment strategy.