What is Laparoscopic Left Hemicolectomy?
A surgical procedure to remove one side of the colon is called hemicolectomy. In a left hemicolectomy, the descending colon is removed. After it's removed,the transverse colon directly attaches to rectum.
Why Laparoscopic Left Hemicolectomy is done?
Left hemicolectomy (left colectomy) is the surgical removal of the left side of the colon along with the fat and the surrounding lymph nodes. This surgery is mostly performed for cancers of the left colon.
Other conditions where left hemicolectomy is performed include:
- Perforation (hole) of the colon due to trauma (e.g., gunshot injury to the abdomen)
- Chronic diverticular disease (small bulges in the colon)
- Sigmoid volvulus (twisting of the sigmoid colon)
- Ischemic colitis (the death of the intestinal cells because of reduced blood supply)
- Lower intestinal bleeding due to various causes
- Precancerous conditions of the colon
How Laparoscopic Left Hemicolectomy is done ?
Left colectomy is performed under general anesthesia.
- In this procedure, a surgeon usually removes the descending colon before reattaching the transverse colon.
- The surgeon makes small incisions in the abdominal wall and inserts a thin scope. The scope has a lens and light for viewing purposes.
- The surgeon then inserts surgical instruments through the small cuts in the abdomen and removes the diseased part of the colon and reattaches the healthy colon.
- The instruments are removed and incisions are stitched with absorbable stitches.
Post operative recovery
Following left hemicolectomy, you will be given pain medication to keep you comfortable. You are allowed to eat, and encouraged to move around and walk as soon as you are able. You will be discharged 2-5 days after laparoscopic left hemicolectomy
Advantages of laproscopic Left Hemicolectomy
The laparoscopic procedure has several benefits:
- Small surgical incisions
- Less scaring
- Less post-operative pain
- Shorter hospital stay and faster recovery