Tests and Procedures
Colectomy
Overview
Colectomy is a surgical procedure to remove all or part of your colon. Your colon, part of your large intestine, is a long tubelike organ at the end of your digestive tract. Colectomy may be necessary to treat or prevent diseases and conditions that affect your colon.
There are various types of colectomy operations:
- Total colectomy involves removing the entire colon.
- Partial colectomy involves removing part of the colon and may also be called subtotal colectomy.
- Hemicolectomy involves removing the right or left portion of the colon.
- Proctocolectomy involves removing both the colon and rectum.
Colectomy surgery usually requires other procedures to reattach the remaining portions of your digestive system and permit waste to leave your body.