More than 600,000 Americans have colon surgery every year. At Lenox Hill Surgeons, LLP in the Lenox Hill area of Manhattan in New York City, the team of nationally recognized surgeons offers colon surgery using the most advanced robotic surgery methods. With these specialized small incision approaches, you can heal faster and with less pain. Book your appointment through online scheduling or call the office for help today.

What is colon surgery?

Colon surgery, also called colon resection or colectomy, is a surgical procedure to remove part or all of your colon (the biggest portion of your large intestine).

A total colectomy removes your whole colon, while a subtotal (partial) colectomy removes just one damaged portion. A proctocolectomy removes both the colon and the rectum, the tube at the end of the colon. 

When might I need colon surgery?

You might need colon surgery if you have problems such as:

• Colon cancer
• Multiple precancerous lesions (colon polyps) 
• A bowel blockage
• Severe colon bleeding
• Crohn’s disease that doesn’t respond to other treatments
• Ulcerative colitis that doesn’t improve with other treatments
• Diverticular disease if you have recurrent or complex diverticulitis

In some cases, colon surgery may be a preventive measure. About 5% of people who have colon cancer have an inherited syndrome like Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis. 

So, if you have an inherited syndrome that could lead to colon cancer, the team may recommend colon surgery to eliminate your risk.

What is the process for colon surgery?

Colon surgery approaches can vary with the patient and their condition. The team at Lenox Hill Surgeons, LLP works with you, treating you with gentle compassion and care as they guide you through the decision-making process for your treatment. 

The board-certified surgeons specialize in minimally invasive laparoscopic and robot-assisted surgery using the advanced da Vinci® surgical system. 

Traditional colon surgery requires a 6-8 inch incision, allowing enough space for the surgeon to view the whole colon and remove it using standard surgical tools. 

Robotic surgery and laparoscopic surgery take a very different approach, with far smaller incisions (usually half-an-inch wide). In robotic surgery, surgeons still control the entire surgery, but they use robotic arms using a nearby console. 

A miniature camera goes in one incision, which sends live video to a nearby monitor. Surgeons view the colon up close on the monitor as they direct the robotic arms to remove part or all of the colon to complete your procedure.

Robotic surgery allows for disease-curing and potentially life-saving surgery to minimize your bleeding, pain, and recovery time as much as possible.   

To learn more about colon surgery, contact the Lenox Hill leaders in robotic surgery. Click on the online scheduler or call the Lenox Hill Surgeons, LLP office now.