In a left hemicolectomy, the descending colon is removed. This is the part of your colon that’s attached to your rectum. After it’s removed, the surgeon attaches the transverse colon directly to your rectum.
How is a left hemicolectomy performed?
In most instances, surgical treatment of tumors of the left colon requires a left hemicolectomy. This procedure involves taking the inferior mesenteric blood supply, along with its branches (left colic artery and sigmoid arteries), which supply the splenic flexure to the proximal sigmoid colon.
What is an elective hemicolectomy?
A colectomy procedure to remove one side of the colon is called hemicolectomy. A right hemicolectomy, as shown here, involves removing the right side of the colon and attaching the small intestine to the remaining portion of the colon.
Why is left hemicolectomy done?
An open left hemicolectomy is the removal of part of the colon or large intestine to treat colorectal cancer in the area. The colon or the large bowel is a part of the large intestine.
What is the difference between a colectomy and a hemicolectomy?
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.
Why do you need a hemicolectomy?
The usual reasons for hemicolectomy are bowel cancer, polyps, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease or an abdominal injury.
What is the difference between left hemicolectomy and left colectomy?
Left hemicolectomy (left colectomy) is the surgical removal of the left side of the large bowel (see the first figure below); sigmoid colectomy is the surgical removal of the sigmoid colon (see the second figure below). These operations are mostly performed for cancers of the left colon and sigmoid colon,…
What are the indications for a left hemicolectomy?
Indications. In most instances, surgical treatment of tumors of the left colon requires a left hemicolectomy. This procedure involves taking the inferior mesenteric blood supply, along with its branches (left colic artery and sigmoid arteries), which supply the splenic flexure to the proximal sigmoid colon.
What is a sigmoid colectomy?
Left hemicolectomy (left colectomy) is the surgical removal of the left side of the large bowel (see the first figure below); sigmoid colectomy is the surgical removal of the sigmoid colon (see the second figure below).
How many lymph nodes should be removed in a left hemicolectomy?
A minimum of 12 lymph nodes within the mesentery is considered an adequate resection when a left hemicolectomy or sigmoidectomy is performed for cancer. The lateral approach is preferred by most surgeons for open colectomies. The assistant holds the sigmoid colon and retracts it medially and upwards.
