Indications for colonic surgery:

     1.  Colon bleeding - diverticulosis, arterio-venous malformation, severe colitis

     2.  Infection - diverticulitis (complicated or recurrent), toxic colitis, perforation.

     3.  Severe constipation otherwise termed "colonic intertia".

     4.  Large polyps un-amenable to colonoscopic removal or colon cancers.

Most colorectal surgery done today can be accomplished with a minimally invasive option - such as laparoscopic colon resection.  The colon is broken down anatomically into a RIGHT, a TRANSVERSE, a LEFT, and a SIGMOID colon (respectively advancing toward the rectum).  Each anatomic section has its own blood supply and a potential segmental resection is based on this blood supply and drainage with regard to its removal.  The ability of your potential surgeon to accomplish a minimally invasive colon resection is an appropriate question to ask him or her.  Also, a laparoscopic assisted or hand assisted colon resection involves a large incision and although classified as minimally invasive, it will add to post-operative pain (extent and longevity), length of recovery (weeks), increase the potential for post-operative wound infection and post-operative hernia formation.

Often your surgeon will ask a urologist to preform a cystoscopy with ureteral stent placement during your laparoscopic colon resection which may decrease the chance of post-operative ureteral complications (such as injury during your procedure - the stents will help to identify these small structures which often can be adherent to the colon wall or mesentary (layer of blood vessels) during your operation.