Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgeries: Minimally Invasive, Safe and Effective Patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer or other colorectal disorders now have the option of minimally invasive surgery, with a board certified colorectal surgeon, at Sentara CarePlex Hospital.
Annually, over 100,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with colon cancer. Over 90 percent will need surgery to remove part of the colon. Laparoscopic colectomy was first performed in 1991. This application of laparoscopic technique proved challenging and was not uniformly embraced because of technical issues and concerns related to its use for cancer. However, this past Spring, The New England Journal of Medicine reported that, when performed by a qualified, experienced surgeon, minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery is a safe and effective alternative to traditional open abdominal surgery.
Laparoscopic Colectomy Procedure
During laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer, several small incisions are made in the abdominal area. A small video camera can then be inserted into the abdominal cavity enabling the surgeon to see and additional small incisions allow insertion of instruments to perform surgical dissection. Ultimately, a 2-inch incision is made for the colon to be brought out of the abdomen. The diseased section is cut out and the healthy sections of the colon are then reattached and placed back into the abdomen. This technique avoids the larger incision and extended recovery of the typical 8-12 inch incision for open abdominal surgery.
Minimally invasive colon surgery may not be appropriate for all patients. For more information, talk to your physician, call 1-800-SENTARA.
Minimally Invasive Surgical Advantages
Smaller incision than open abdominal surgery
Less pain and cosmetic advantages with a smaller incision
Shorter hospital stay
Quicker return to daily activities
Minimally Invasive Techniques Available For Many Colorectal Disorders
Colon and Rectal Cancers
Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Crohns and Ulcerative Colitis
Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis
Functional Disorders such as chronic constipation, fecal incontinence or rectal prolapse