Colonoscopy with
biopsy
samples—visual exam and removal of tissue inside the large intestine using a flexible tube with a camera on the end
Leading up to your procedure:
Talk to your doctor about your current medicines. Certain medicines may need to be stopped before the procedure, such as:
Aspirin
or other anti-inflammatory drugs for up to one week before surgery
Blood-thinning drugs such as
warfarin
(Coumadin)
Clopidogrel
(Plavix)
Drink at least eight, 8-ounce glasses of water daily.
Follow a special diet, if recommended by your doctor.
You will likely be given laxatives and other medicines to help clean out your bowels.
Take antibiotics, if prescribed by your doctor.
You may need to shower the night before your procedure, using antibacterial soap.
Arrange to have someone drive you to and from the procedure and for help at home.
The night before, eat a light meal or drink clear liquids as directed. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight unless told otherwise by your doctor.
Wear comfortable clothing.
Anesthesia
You will receive
general anesthesia
for the surgery.
You will be asleep.
Description of Procedure
The surgeon will make a single, long incision in the abdomen. She will remove the section of colon through the incision. When possible, the colon on either side of the removed section will be sewn together.
In a total colectomy, a colostomy or ileostomy will need to be formed. This will create a path for waste to leave your body. Your doctor will make a small opening, called a stoma, in the front of your abdominal wall. The open end of your intestine will be attached at the stoma. The stoma may be either temporary or permanent. This part of the procedure may also be done if your intestine needs time to heal and rest.
The surgeon will close the muscles and skin of the abdomen with stitches or staples. A sterile dressing will be placed over the incision areas.
Immediately After Procedure
The removed tissue will be sent to a lab for examination. You will be taken to the recovery room and monitored.
How Long Will It Take
About 1- 4 hours or more
How Much Will It Hurt?
Anesthesia is given to prevent pain during the surgery. Pain is common during recovery. You will receive medicine to help manage pain.
Average Hospital Stay
This procedure is done in a hospital setting. The usual length of stay is 5-6 days. Your doctor may choose to keep you longer, however, if complications arise.
Post-procedure Care
At the Hospital
If you had a colostomy or ileostomy, a pouch will be attached on the outside of your body. Waste material will be collected in it.
You will receive instructions about diet and activity. During the first few days after surgery, you may be restricted from eating.
You will wear boots or special socks to help prevent blood clots.
You will be encouraged to practice
deep breathing
to help open your lungs.
At Home
After your procedure, be sure to follow your doctor's
instructions.
If you have a colostomy:
You will need to take it easy for 1-2 months.
A specialized nurse will teach you how to care for the stoma site and change the
ostomy bag.
You will progress from a clear liquid, to a bland, low-fiber diet, to your regular diet after about 6-8 weeks.
Alert your physicians and pharmacist that you cannot take medicines that are considered time-released or time-sustained.
Do not use laxatives, because postcolostomy stools are usually quite liquid.
Drink eight, 8-ounce glasses of liquid daily as extra fluids will be lost in your stool.
Ask your doctor about when it is safe to shower, bathe, or soak in water.
Be sure to follow your doctor’s
instructions.
Call Your Doctor
After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
Signs of infection, including fever and chills
Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or any discharge from the incision site
Nausea and/or vomiting that you cannot control with the medicines you were given after surgery, or which persist for more than two days after discharge from the hospital
Pain that you cannot control with the medicines you have been given
Pain, burning, urgency or frequency of urination, or persistent bleeding in the urine
Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
Joint pain, fatigue, stiffness, rash, or other new symptoms
Alves A, Panis Y, Mathieu P, et al. Postoperative mortality and morbidity in French patients undergoing colorectal surgery: results of a prospective multicenter study.
Archives of Surgery.
2005;140:278-283.
A patient guide to colostomy care. Northwestern Memorial Hospital website. Available at:
http://www.nmh.org/ccurl/580/761/colostomy-care-guide-09-07.pdf. Accessed July 16, 2008.
Dictionary of cancer terms. National Cancer Institute website. Available at:
http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary/
. Accessed July 16, 2008.
Feo CV, Zerbinati A, Giacometti M, et al. The ideal length of hospital stay in the surgical treatment of colorectal cancer.
Ann Ital Chir.
2002;73:13-16.
Perioperative management. American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed September 24, 2005.
What is the treatment for Crohn’s disease? National Digestive Diseases Clearinghouse website. Available at:
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/crohns/#treat
.
Accessed July 16, 2008.
EBSCO Publishing is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation.
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
If you have an existing account with My AHChart or myAurora, select Existing Account below to transfer your health information to the new myAurora. If you do not have an existing account, please select New Account.
