Surgical Associates at Virginia Hospital Center - Surgeon, Northern VA & Washington DC

Colon Surgery

The colon is the large intestine-- the lower part of your digestive tract – and measures about five feet. Each year in the United States, over 300,000 surgical procedures are performed on patients with diseases of the colon. Resection of a portion of the colon may be required for a variety of diseases such as large polyps, cancer and diverticulitis as well as other less common conditions.

There are several common types of colon surgeries and your surgeon will explain exactly what type of procedure you may be undergoing. The location and the type of the disease being treated will determine your specific surgery. The colon surgery is done through either an open incision or laparoscopically (minimally invasive surgery). Laparoscopic surgery is as effective in treating colon diseases including cancer as traditional open surgery. The laparoscopic approach is however a much more attractive option for patients as it results in less pain, shorter hospital stay, faster recovery and better cosmesis.

At Surgical Associates, we specialize in laparoscopic, minimally invasive, surgery and favor laparoscopic surgery for all diseases of the colon. We routinely perform laparoscopic resections of the right colon, the left colon, the sigmoid colon and the upper rectum. We also perform laparoscopic closure of colostomies whenever possible. Prior to the surgery, the colon is cleaned thoroughly to decrease the chances of infection, using strong laxatives and enemas (bowel prep). Most patient undergoing laparoscopic colon surgery stay 2-5 days in the hospital.

Bowel Preparation Instructions (PDF)

Bowel Preparation with OsmoPrep Instructions (PDF)

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