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Surgery

Laparoscopic colectomy offers excellent outcomes with less trauma and faster recovery than open surgery

03/01/2007
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While laparoscopic procedures have been in use for decades as an alternative to conventional surgery, their use for colon and rectal surgeries is more recent. Laparoscopic colectomy gained prominence in 2004, following publication of a Clinical Outcomes of Surgical Therapy (COST) Study in the New England Journal of Medicine that found laparoscopic colectomy to be a safe and effective alternative to standard open surgery for treatment of colorectal cancer (N Engl J Med. 2004 May 13;350(20):2050-9).

Treatable conditions

In addition to colon and rectal cancer, laparoscopic colectomy can be appropriate for treating the following conditions:

  • Crohn’s disease: chronic inflammation of the digestive or gastrointestinal tract
  • Ulcerative colitis: inflammation of the innermost lining of the colon and rectum • Diverticulitis: inflammation or infection of diverticula (bulging pouches) in the large intestines
  • Familial polyposis: hereditary condition involving widespread growth of polyps in the large intestine
  • Rectal prolapse: fallen tissue lining in the rectum, which then protrudes past the anus

How it works

A tiny camera is inserted through an approximately one-centimeter incision, while surgical instruments are introduced through three to four additional incisions of approximately one-half cm. After removing inflamed or diseased tissue, the colon or rectum is sewn together. The procedure can be performed completely laparoscopically, or hand-assisted. The incision used in hand-assisted surgery is substantially smaller (5 – 6 cm) than the approximately 15 cm incision required for open surgery.

Advantages of laparoscopic colectomy

Laparoscopic colectomy surgery can offer several advantages over conventional open colectomy surgery, including:

  • Smaller incisions
  • Less trauma to the body
  • Less need for narcotic medications
  • Quicker return of bowel function
  • Less post-operative pain
  • Shorter hospital stay
  • Shorter recovery time
  • Better cosmetic appearance

Experience counts

As laparoscopic colectomy is relatively new, many surgeons have limited experience with the procedure. UCLA’s colorectal surgeons have extensive experience and perform these operations every day. As a leader in this technique, UCLA offers a one-day intensive laparoscopic colectomy course to general and colorectal surgeons to provide them with experience in laparoscopic and hand-assisted colectomy techniques.

Patient referral

For referrals or more information about laparoscopic colectomy at UCLA, please call (310) 794-7788.

Program physicians

Jonathan Sack, M.D.
Associate Professor

James Yoo, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Director, UCLA Laparoscopic and Hand-Assisted Colectomy Course




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