Colorectal procedures include a number of operations that are performed on the colon (large intestine), rectum (end of large bowel) and anal canal.
A) Colectomy:
Colectomy is a surgery where all or a part of the colon is removed. This surgery is performed in cases such as colon cancer, rectal cancerand diverticulitis, IBS/IBD (inflammatory bowel syndrome/disease) including ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease and other such conditions. These surgeries are performed when the patient is not getting relief from medication and to prevent the spread or risk of cancer. Colectomy performed with the da Vinci robotic system involves removing the diseased section of the colon and reconnecting the healthy parts through a few small incisions. The common colectomy procedure performed via da vinci are:
- Left colectomy
- Right colectomy (with or without intracorporeal anastomoses)
- Sigmoid resection (pelvic colon) surgery
B) Rectal resections (APE, TME, PME):
Rectal (lower colon) resection is the removal of a portion of the rectum. This is mostly performed in the case of damage to the rectum due to a disease of lower digestive tract such as cancer, ulcerativee colitis, obstruction, IBD etc.
