Surgical Excision of Half the Colon: Procedure Details, Potential Hazards, Dietary Guidelines, and Prognosis
After undergoing a hemicolectomy, a surgical procedure that involves removing a portion of the colon, patients may experience a range of side effects and require specific dietary recommendations for optimal recovery.
Common Side Effects
Following a hemicolectomy, patients often encounter moderate to severe abdominal pain, which is usually managed with prescribed painkillers. Another unusual symptom, shoulder tip pain, can occur due to irritation of the diaphragm by gas used during surgery. Altered bowel habits are common too, with loose stools or diarrhea being frequent after surgery. Some patients may experience constipation or alternating bowel movements.
Wound healing issues, such as thickened, red, and tender scars, are possible, as are infections at the surgical site. Adhesions, or scar tissue bands that may form inside the abdomen, can potentially lead to bowel obstruction. Urinary issues, such as temporary bladder dysfunction or the use of a urinary catheter during early recovery, may also arise.
Rare but serious complications include anastomotic leak (leakage at the bowel connection), deep vein thrombosis, sexual dysfunction (notably after low rectal surgery), and systemic infections.
Recommended Diet After Hemicolectomy
In the initial phase, patients are often advised to consume small, frequent meals rather than large portions to aid digestion and energy intake. Nourishing foods such as soups, high-energy drinks, and snacks that provide adequate calories are recommended because the body uses more energy during healing. As bowel function stabilises, patients can gradually return to a regular diet, avoiding foods that excessively irritate the digestive tract or cause gas.
Maintaining good fluid intake is important, especially if diarrhea occurs, to prevent dehydration. A bland diet, which includes lean meat, poultry, and fish, dried beans, nuts and nut butter, any fruits except for citrus, any vegetables, low fat or nonfat milk and dairy, and avoids added fats, caffeine, alcohol, condiments, and foods with intense or spicy flavors, may be recommended.
Careful post-surgery monitoring and adherence to dietary advice support recovery and reduce the risk of complications. Patients should promptly report persistent pain, unusual bleeding, signs of infection, or significant changes in bowel function to their healthcare provider.
Recovery from a hemicolectomy typically takes 1-2 months and may require a hospital stay of 3-7 days. Internal injury during the procedure may necessitate additional surgery, potentially delaying recovery. A colostomy may be necessary if the surgeon is unable to reattach the remaining colon to another part of the intestine or rectum.
Infections can develop during or after a hemicolectomy, requiring antibiotic treatment and potentially leading to a longer hospital stay. An anastomotic leak, where the colon leaks at the point of reattachment, can occur after a hemicolectomy and may require immediate medical attention. Excessive bleeding may occur, especially with open surgery, which may require a blood transfusion.
A hemicolectomy may be performed using either laparoscopic or open surgery. In a laparoscopic hemicolectomy, the surgeon makes small incisions and inserts a thin scope with a lens and light for viewing purposes. An open hemicolectomy involves making larger cuts in the body to access the colon, which may result in a longer recovery time.
The outlook for people who have a hemicolectomy varies, depending on the reason for the procedure. Some may need to make lifestyle or dietary changes following the surgery. After surgery, some individuals may experience cramps or diarrhea. A doctor might recommend drinking more water and following a bland diet to help control bowel movements.
Trauma, bowel and colon cancers, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, polyps, and diverticulitis can damage the colon, necessitating a hemicolectomy. The colon, or large intestine, is a part of the digestive system that starts in the iliac region of the abdomen and ends at the anus. Its main functions include regulating water levels in the body, absorbing water from food, absorbing some vitamins, and processing waste for expulsion.
Walking as soon as possible after the procedure can help decrease the risk of a blood clot and promote digestion. A bladder catheter and abdominal drains may be inserted after the procedure to drain urine and fluids, respectively. An anesthetist may administer pain medication through an epidural after the procedure, which may be replaced with oral pain medications later.
In summary, a hemicolectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of a segment of the colon to treat various conditions. By understanding the common side effects and adhering to dietary recommendations, patients can support their recovery and reduce the risk of complications.
- A colostomy might be necessary in some cases if the surgeon cannot reattach the remaining colon to another part of the intestine or rectum, which is often a consequence of medical conditions such as trauma, bowel and colon cancers, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, polyps, and diverticulitis that damage the colon.
- To maintain optimal health and wellness after undergoing a hemicolectomy, patients should follow dietary advice such as consuming small, frequent meals and avoiding foods that excessively irritate the digestive tract or cause gas, as these recommendations can help manage digestive-health issues like altered bowel habits, diarrhea, and constipation.
- Aside from common side effects, patients may also encounter rare but serious complications like anastomotic leak, deep vein thrombosis, sexual dysfunction (particularly after low rectal surgery), and systemic infections, which are typically managed with specific treatments and may require hospitalization.
