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Large bowel resection - Risks

Alternative Names

Ascending colectomy; Descending colectomy; Transverse colectomy; Right hemicolectomy; Left hemicolectomy; Hand assisted bowel surgery; Low anterior resection; Sigmoid colectomy; Subtotal colectomy; Proctocolectomy; Colon resection; Laparoscopic colectomy; Colectomy - partial; Abdominal perineal resection

Risks:

Talk with your doctor about these possible risks and complications.

Risks for any anesthesia are:

  • Reactions to medicines
  • Breathing problems

Risks for any surgery are:

  • Blood clots in the legs that may travel to the lungs
  • Breathing problems
  • Heart attack or stroke
  • Infection, including in the lungs, urinary tract, and belly

Risks for this surgery are:

  • Damage to nearby organs in the body
  • Wound infections
  • Wound breaks open
  • Bleeding inside your belly
  • Bulging tissue through the incision, called an incisional hernia
  • The edges of your intestines that are sewn together may come open. This may be life-threatening.
  • Scar tissue may form in your belly and cause blockage of your intestines.
  • Problems with the colostomy.

See also: Colostomy

  • Reviewed last on: 1/26/2009
  • Robert A. Cowles, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Fry RD, Mahmoud N, Maron DJ, Ross HM, Rombeau J. Coln and rectum. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 50.

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