How is a Laparoscopic Colectomy performed?
Laparoscopic surgery uses a thin, telescope-like instrument called a laparoscope which is inserted through a small incision in the abdomen. The laparoscope is connected to a tiny video camera which projects a video image of the operative site onto video monitors in the operating room. The abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide, a gas, to allow your surgeon a better view of the operative area. During a laparoscopic colectomy, four or five one-half inch incisions are made. The diseased section of colon is removed using special, and the remainder of the colon is reattached to retain the functionality of the lower digestive tract. In some instances, the remainder of the colon cannot be reattached, and a colostomy may be place. A colostomy is an incision into the colon to create an artificial opening or “stoma” to the exterior of the abdomen. This opening serves as a substitute anus through which the intestines can eliminate waste products until the colon can heal or other corrective surge
