MORE ABOUT LAPAROSCOPIC COLECTOMY

Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery

GARTH HADDEN BALLANTYNE, M.D., M.B.A.,F.A.C.S., F.A.S.C.R.S.
Board Certified in General Surgery & Colon and Rectal Surgery

OFFICE: 4 Shaw's Cove, New London, CT 06320

Surgeon In Chief
Lawrence & Memorial Hospital
New London, CT 06320

CONTACT US AT:
1-860-444-7675

This page last updated: September 11, 2010 10:49 AM

MORE ABOUT ADVANCED LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY

MORE ABOUT LAPAROSCOPIC COLORECTAL SURGERY

Until recently, colorectal surgery required a large incision and an extended recovery period. Now the minimally invasive technique of laparoscopy can be used to treat a wide range of colorectal diseases. Laparoscopy achieves the same results as traditional surgery, but patients recover faster and experience less pain.

Because laparoscopic colorectal surgery requires extensive and highly specialized training, few surgeons are qualified to perform these procedures. The Center for Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center is one of only a few medical centers in the country with a surgeon certified to use laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of colon conditions including diverticulitis, Crohn's disease (occurring in the small intestine as well as the colon), chronic ulcerative colitis, constipation, sigmoid volvulus, and endometriosis. Dr. Ballantyne may also use laparoscopy to repair rectal prolapse, remove non-cancerous polyps, and treat some types of colon cancer.

The Center for Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery is equipped with the latest laparoscopic technology, including three-dimensional imaging equipment and the most advanced ultrasound instruments in use anywhere.

The Advantages of Laparoscopy

Traditional "open' procedures to correct colorectal disorders begin with a large abdominal incision, 8 to 12 inches long. Because of the healing time required by this wound, patients may spend a week or more in the hospital, and they experience significant post-operative pain.

With laparoscopic surgery, patients experience less pain and return home in four or five days. Within a week or two they can return to all normal activities, including work.

The laparoscope, which is a telescopic videocamera, usually gives surgeons a better view of internal organs than they can achieve with the naked eye in a traditional open procedure. Patients lose less blood during laparoscopic surgery than during traditional surgery, and they experience fewer infections and other complications.

Virtually all patients who need colorectal operations are candidates for laparoscopy. There are a few patients, however, who require the open procedure.

THE LAPAROSCOPIC COLORECTAL OPERATION

Minimally invasive surgery begins with three to five small incisions through which Dr. Ballantyne inserts narrow, tube-like devices called trocars. Through one trocar, the surgeon inserts a laparoscope. Other instruments are inserted through the other trocars. Dr. Ballantyne watches a video monitor as he manipulates the surgical instruments to perform the same operations as would take place during a traditional open colorectal procedure.

Colectomy, or removal of part of the colon, is one of the most common laparoscopic procedures. After Dr. Ballantyne locates the affected area with help of the laparoscope, the vessels surrounding the diseased portion of the colon are sealed and cut. Dr. Ballantyne then extracts the diseased segment through a trocar, or, in some cases, through an enlarged abdominal incision. The healthy parts of the colon are then secured together. Surgical tape or stitches close the incisions following surgery.

In a small percentage of cases-about one in 20 (about 5 percent) -Dr. Ballantynemay be unable to complete a procedure laparoscopically and must revert to an open procedure. Under these circumstances a traditional approach is used.

BEFORE SURGERY:

Dr. Ballantyne carefully reviews each patient's condition before recommending any procedure. lf you are a candidate for colorectal laparoscopy, he will discuss the benefits, risks, and possible complications of the operation.

A pre-admission evaluation, including routine blood testing, must be completed in the five days before the procedure. This provides your surgeon with important information about your health before operating. Generally, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center conducts this evaluation. However, under certain circumstances, your personal physician may complete the necessary pre-admission tests.

Before surgery, you will also meet with an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist who will ask questions about previous surgeries and explain the anesthesia.

Like all patients undergoing colorectat surgery, you are required to be on a clear liquid diet the day before your operation. The night before surgery you will begin taking antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection as a result of the procedure.

Because colorectal laparoscopy is performed under general anesthesia, you cannot eat or drin anything after midnight the day before the surgery. You will be admitted to the hospital on the morning of your procedure.

YOUR RECOVERY:

In the hours following the operation, you will experience some pain from the small incisions made to perform the procedure. In a day or two, you will be able to drink liquids. On the third day, you will probably begin eatin solid foods again.

When you return home, typically four or five days after surgery, you will be able to take care yourself Within a week or so of leaving the hospital, you can resume your normal schedule. You can return to work, and if you are an athiet or enjoy working out, you can begin exercising and playing sports again.

After a few months, the surgical incisions will be barely visible.

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Copyright 1996, Garth Hadden Ballantyne, M.D., P.C. All rights reserved.
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