Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery

Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery

What is laparoscopic colorectal surgery?

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery, also known as keyhole surgery, is a modern surgical technique used to treat problems in the colon and rectum such as colonic polyps. Unlike traditional surgery, which requires large openings in the abdomen, laparoscopic surgery only involves smaller incisions. 

Through these small incisions, the surgeon inserts long, thin instruments, including a laparoscope to visualise and treat the the affected area.
Laparoscopic colorectal surgery is a modern surgical technique that utilises a laparoscope.

How does laparoscopic colorectal surgery work?

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that includes the steps below:
1. General anaesthesia will be administered to ensure comfortable and painless. The surgeon then makes a few small incisions in your abdomen when patients are fully unconscious.
2. Through one of these cuts, a laparoscope (a thin tube with a camera and light) is inserted. This camera sends images to video monitors, allowing the surgeon to visualise your abdomen. Your abdomen will then be inflated with carbon dioxide gas. This lifts the abdominal wall away from the organs, giving the surgeon more space to see and work.
3. The surgeon inserts other instruments through the small incisions. Watching the video monitor, the surgeon uses these tools to cut and remove the diseased parts of the colon or rectum. If a larger piece of tissue needs to be removed, one of the small cuts might be made a bit bigger to pull the affected areas out.
4. Once the surgery is complete, the carbon dioxide gas is released, and the small incisions are closed with stitches or staples. You’ll stay in the hospital for a few days so doctors can monitor your recovery.

What are the benefits of laparoscopic colorectal surgery?

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery offers several advantages that include:

Less postoperative pain:

because the procedure uses small incisions rather than a large one, patients typically experience less pain after surgery.

Shorter hospital stay:

patients often have a shorter hospital stay compared to those who undergo traditional open surgery, allowing them to return home sooner.
The minimally invasive nature of the surgery usually leads to a quicker recovery.

Faster recovery:

the minimally invasive nature of the surgery usually leads to a quicker recovery. Patients can return to their normal activities and diet more rapidly.

Reduced risk of infection:

smaller incisions lower the risk of infection compared to large surgical wounds.

Less bleeding:

the procedure generally results in less blood loss during surgery.

Minimal scarring:

the smaller incisions used in laparoscopic surgery result in less noticeable scars, providing better cosmetic outcomes.

Lower risk of adhesions:

adhesions, or bands of scar tissue, are less likely to form, reducing the risk of future complications like small bowel obstruction.

Greater surgical precision:

the laparoscope provides a magnified view of the internal organs, giving surgeons better visibility and control, which can result in more effective procedures.

Quicker return of bowel function:

patients often experience a faster return to normal bowel function, which is a significant part of the recovery process.

What conditions can laparoscopic colorectal surgery treat?

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery can treat a wide range of conditions in the colon and rectum, including:
Laparoscopic colorectal surgery can treat a wide range of conditions in the colon and rectum, including colon polyps and early-stage colon cancer.
Condition Table
Condition Type Condition Name Details
Cancer Colon cancer The affected portion of the colon is removed, and the remaining ends are reconnected. The surgery allows for precise removal of the tumour with minimal invasion.
Rectal cancer The tumour and surrounding tissue are removed. For advanced stages, this may include part of the rectum and nearby lymph nodes. The remaining sections are reconnected.
Inflammatory bowel diseases Crohn's disease Inflamed sections of the intestines are removed while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. The remaining healthy sections are reconnected.
Ulcerative disease Diseased sections of the colon and rectum are removed, which can relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. The healthy ends are reconnected.
Polyps Colon polyps Polyps that are at risk of becoming cancerous are excised to prevent progression to cancer.
Rectal issues Rectal prolapse The rectum is repositioned and secured to prevent it from slipping out of place.
Rectal intussusception The folded section of the rectum is corrected, and the tissue is stabilised to prevent recurrence.
Obstructed defecation syndrome The cause of obstruction is addressed by removing or repairing the affected part of the colon or rectum to restore normal bowel function.
Other conditions Diverticular disease Infected or inflamed pouches (diverticula) in the colon are removed, and the healthy sections are reconnected. This can alleviate pain and prevent further issues.
Appendicitis The inflamed appendix is removed through a small incision, which reduces pain and prevents rupture.
Colon volvulus The twisted section of the colon is untwisted and, if necessary, removed to prevent obstruction and restore normal bowel function.
Familial polyposis Sections of the colon with numerous polyps are removed to prevent the development of colon cancer. The healthy sections are reconnected.
Bowel leakage or stool incontinence Depending on the cause, surgery may involve repairing or strengthening the muscles around the rectum or creating a stoma for waste to exit through an opening in the abdomen.

What results can I expect from laparoscopic colorectal surgery?

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery offers several positive outcomes as the recovery phase after the procedure is generally smoother and quicker. Here’s what you can expect:

Hospital stay:

You’ll stay in the hospital for a few days where your recovery will be closely monitored. You will start with a liquid diet and gradually move to solid foods as your bowel function returns.

Pain management:

Pain after the surgery is typically less severe due to the smaller incisions. You will receive pain medication to keep you comfortable.

Activity level:

Soon after the surgery, you’ll be encouraged to get out of bed and take short walks. Gradually, you’ll increase your activity level, which helps in preventing blood clots and other complications.

Returning home:

Once you can eat solid food and your bowel function is normal, you can go home. Full recovery at home usually takes a few weeks. During this time, you can slowly resume normal activities.

Incision care:

Your surgeon will give you instructions on how to care for your incisions to prevent infection and promote healing. You will need to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activities until you’re fully healed.

Follow-up visits:

You’ll have follow-up appointments with your surgeon to ensure you’re healing well and to address any concerns.

Diet:

You’ll start with a liquid diet in the hospital and gradually transition to solid foods. Your surgeon may give you specific dietary recommendations to help your recovery and prevent future relapses.

Bowel movements:

It’s normal to have more frequent and loose bowel movements initially. This should improve as your body adjusts. Passing gas is a good sign that your bowel function is returning to normal.
Full recovery can take about a month, depending on the type of surgery and your overall health. Listen to your body, rest when needed, and gradually increase your activity level. In the event of complications such as fever and infections, schedule a visit immediately to enable prompt intervention.

How many treatment sessions are needed?

For laparoscopic colorectal surgery, usually, you only need one surgery to address specific conditions. Here’s how it typically goes:

Preparation before surgery:

You’ll have a few appointments with your surgeon for tests and scans to make sure you are a good candidate for the procedure.

The surgery:

The actual surgery is done in one session. During this time, the surgeon will remove or repair the affected part of your colon or rectum.

After surgery:

After the surgery, you’ll have follow-up visits to check on your recovery and make sure there are no complications. These visits help ensure you’re healing properly and feeling better.

Additional treatments:

If you’re dealing with cancer, you might need additional treatments like chemotherapy or radiation. These treatments are separate from the surgery itself and are usually planned by your surgeon.
Follow-up appointments are necessary to monitor your recovery, but you won’t need multiple surgeries unless there are complications or further treatments required.

At CRCS Clinic (link to about CRCS Clinic page), we prioritise your comfort and successful outcomes, guiding you through every step from consultation to recovery. Take the first step towards better health by scheduling a consultation with Dr Ronnie (link to service page).

Frequently Asked Questions

Many people with conditions like colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticular disease, and certain types of polyps can have laparoscopic surgery. However, not everyone is suitable. If you’ve had many previous abdominal surgeries, are severely obese, or need emergency surgery, you might need open surgery instead. Your surgeon will evaluate your specific situation to determine if you’re a good candidate.

The length of the surgery can vary depending on what exactly needs to be done, but it usually takes between 2 to 4 hours. Your surgeon will give you a more specific idea based on your situation.

After the surgery, it's normal for your bowel movements to change. You might have more frequent and loose stools at first, but this should get better as your body adjusts. Your surgeon will give you dietary advice to help manage these changes.

After surgery, you might need to make some lifestyle changes to help with your recovery and maintain your health. This could include eating more fibre-rich foods to support bowel health, staying well-hydrated, and doing regular, moderate exercise. Your surgeon will provide you with guidelines tailored to your needs.

Location

Colorectal Care Specialists (CRCS)

3 Mount Elizabeth, #14-15, Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, SG 228510

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