Bowel surgery leaflets

Home > Patient Information A-Z > Bowel surgery – left hemicolectomy

Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery
Colchester Hospital
Tel: 01206 742 356

Left hemicolectomy

Please read this leaflet before attending for your operation

Introduction

This leaflet aims to give you information about laparoscopic treatment for your specific diagnosis with a section about major surgery for the treatment of bowel cancer. This information is important for you to be able to consent to your treatment. We must, by law, obtain your written consent before any operation and some other procedures. If you are unsure about any aspect of the proposed treatment, please do not hesitate to ask to speak to a senior member of staff.

If possible, we will perform your operation using laparoscopic surgery which is also known as keyhole surgery, minimal access surgery or minimally invasive surgery. Occasionally it is necessary to revert to conventional open surgery due to a complication as sometimes it is difficult to proceed safely with laparoscopic surgery. Whichever method is used to perform the operation it will always be with your best interests in mind.

Laparoscopy and laparoscopic surgery are usually performed while you are asleep under general anaesthetic.

Anaesthetics

There is a separate leaflet available called ‘Anaesthetics’ which has information about the anaesthetic used during your procedure and the risks involved. If you have any concerns, talk these over with your anaesthetist.

If you have not been given an information sheet about anaesthesia, please ask for one.

What is laparoscopy?

Laparoscopy is a procedure to look inside your abdomen using a laparoscope. A laparoscope is like a thin, flexible telescope with a light and magnifier inside which is connected to a television monitor. This enables the surgeon to see clearly inside the abdomen. It is passed into the abdomen through a small incision (cut) often referred to as a port. Laparoscopy may be done to find the cause of symptoms or look at a specific area within the abdomen or pelvis.

What is laparoscopic surgery?

In addition to simply looking inside, the surgeon can use fine instruments to perform operations. These are also passed into the abdomen through three or four small incisions in the skin and are used to cut, trim, biopsy, grab etc inside the abdomen. Laparoscopic surgery is common practice in this hospital for bowel surgery.

Benefits of using a laparoscope

Laparoscopic surgery has many advantages which include decreased blood loss, reduced post-operative pain, fewer complications, an earlier return to a normal quality of life and a reduced length of stay in hospital after your operation.

How is it done?

The abdominal skin surface is cleaned. The surgeon then makes a small incision (cut) about one to two centimetres long near the navel (belly button). Carbon dioxide gas is introduced through the incision to slightly distend the abdominal wall.

This makes it easier to see the internal organs with the laparoscope which is gently pushed through the incision into the abdominal cavity.

The surgeon views the end of these instruments through the laparoscope and manipulates them to perform the required procedure. One larger wound is made, usually through the navel, through which the bowel is removed. When the procedure is completed the laparoscope and instruments are removed. Dissolvable stitches are used to close the incisions and dressings applied.

After laparoscopic surgery

You may feel a little sore around the cuts in your tummy. You may have some pain in your shoulder tip. This is caused by the gas pumped inside irritating the diaphragm which has the same nerve supply as the shoulder tip. This pain gradually eases, particularly once you are up and moving about.

The length of time to recover can vary from patient to patient but usually takes about two to four weeks.

The operation

Surgery is the main treatment for bowel cancer. Usually the cancer and a length of normal bowel on either side of the cancer (as well as nearby lymph nodes) are removed. The healthy parts of the bowel are then stitched or stapled together (anastomosis).

If the doctor is not able to join the bowel back together, an opening (stoma) will be made on the outside of the body for waste to pass. This is called a colostomy or stoma. A stoma is made to allow waste to pass through an opening in the abdominal wall.

A number of different surgical procedures are used depending on where the cancer is.

The operation planned for you is called ‘left hemicolectomy’ which is the removal of the descending colon. The large bowel is joined together with what is called an end-to-end anastomosis (join). It is extremely unlikely that you would require a stoma in this instance.

A number of different surgical procedures are available to treat cancers of the rectum, the decision is made depending on where the cancer is and whether it has spread.

General risks

They include:

• small areas of the lungs which may collapse, increasing the risk of chest infection. This may need antibiotics and physiotherapy,
• clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) with pain and swelling. Rarely, part of this clot may break off and go to the lungs which is more serious and can be fatal,
• strain on the heart which can, in some cases, lead to a heart attack or stroke,
• an increased risk of wound and chest infections, or heart, lung and circulatory complications, to people who are obese,
• the procedure or subsequent complications which can be fatal.

Risks of this procedure

The risks include:

• leakage where the bowel was stitched together. This is a very serious complication that can be fatal. It almost always requires further surgery, often as an emergency and usually requires a stoma even if one was not required in the first operation
• bleeding in the abdomen. This may need fluid replacement or a blood transfusion and further surgery
• when the bowel is paralysed, causing abdominal bloating and vomiting. This is usually temporary and will resolve without treatment
• the possibility that the wound may become infected. This is usually treated with antibiotics or the wound may need to be opened
• a urine infection. Antibiotics may be used to control the infection
• an infection in the abdominal cavity. This may form an abscess that may need drainage and antibiotics. The drainage may be carried out in X-ray or you may have to return to theatre
• the bowel being unable to be joined and may be brought to the surface as a stoma, with the following problems:
  • The blood supply to the stoma may fail and cause damage. This may need further surgery
  • Excess fluid loss from the stoma
  • Stoma prolapse – the bowel protrudes past the skin
  • Parastomal hernia – the bowel pushes through a weal point in the muscle wall, causing pain
  • local skin irritation
  • Reddening of the skin and a rash in reaction to the stoma bag glue
  • Damage to the tube bringing the urine from the kidney to the bladder
  • Abnormal emptying of the bladder. It may empty without control or may not empty at all
  • Inability to have and / or maintain an erection in men. In women it can cause pain during or after intercourse
  • There may be complications with wound healing and the scar may be thickened, red and tender
  • The bowel actions may be much looser after the operation which may depend on how much bowel is taken away
  • Adhesions (bands of scar tissue) may develop in the abdominal cavity and the bowel may block

If 1,000 people had this operation there is a risk that approximately 22 of them would die within 90 days.

Major bowel surgery for cancer

The large bowel (intestine) is made up of the colon and rectum (back passage). This part of the digestive tract carries the remains of digested food from the small bowel and gets rid of it as waste through the opening to the back passage (anus). Cells that line the colon and rectum may begin to grow out of control, forming a cancer (a growth of cancer cells.

The bowel has four sections: the ascending colon, the transverse colon, the descending colon and the sigmoid colon. Cancers can start in any of these areas or in the back passage. Cancers start in the innermost layer and can grow through some or all of the other layers.

Stoma

The waste collects in a disposable bag (a stoma bag) which is stuck over the opening made in the abdomen. This is usually called an ileostomy in patients with a temporary stoma and this is most often positioned on the right-hand side of the tummy. It is made out of the end of the small bowel. The contents of this is much more liquid than that of a colostomy.

A colostomy is usually on the left-hand side of the tummy and is usually formed from a piece of large bowel. The contents of this type of stoma is less in volume and much firmer.

Preparation for major surgery

Before surgery, the bowel may need to be emptied with the help of medicine. You may be told to have a low-fibre diet on the day beforehand. Please see the ‘Enhanced Recovery Programme’ leaflet you have been given for more information on preparation before surgery.

You cannot eat for at least 6 hours before your surgery but you can drink water up until two hours before surgery.

If you have been told you may require a stoma, or if you definitely require a permanent stoma, the surgeon or a stoma nurse will discuss with you before your operation where this would be best positioned on your abdomen (tummy). Taking into account your size and shape, any existing scars and your waistband point, the chosen area will be marked using a marker pen.

At the time of your operation the surgeon will be able to form the stoma at the point indicated, occasionally this is not possible and a different place is used.

Aim of treatment

Removal of the diseased bowel by an operation is the best treatment for cancer of the bowel. The aim of the operation is to give you the best chance of cure through total removal of the cancer.

Treatment alternatives

Bowel cancer can be treated in a number of ways, with people often having a combination of treatments. Your treatment will be designed to suit you as an individual:

• Radiation therapy is used for some people as the initial treatment for rectal cancers. This is to shrink the cancer and make it easier to remove at the time of the operation.
• Chemotherapy (use of drugs to treat the cancer) is usually used either before or after surgical removal of the bowel.
• Argon beam therapy is a special gas used to try to slow the progress of the cancer.
• Placement of a colorectal stent, which is a metal tube placed inside the bowel and cancerous growth to try to keep the passage open. This is only suitable for cancers in the upper rectum and large intestine.

Risks of not having the surgery

Pain and bleeding may become worse and your bowel may completely block or burst. Without surgery, the disease may spread to other parts of your body.

Risks of having the surgery

If 1,000 people had this operation there is a risk that approximately 22 of them would die within 90 days.

Risks and treatment

• Leakage of bowel fluid inside the abdomen. Leakage of bowel fluid from the site where the bowel was stitched or stapled back together. Further surgery may be required
• Ileus – the bowel is paralysed leading to abdominal bloating and vomiting. Treatment is to deflate the bowel with suction, using a tube (naso‑gastric tube) put up the nose, down the throat and into the stomach or bowel
• The wound may become infected. This may be treated with antibiotics. These may be given by a drip into a vein or by mouth. The wound may need to be opened to drain
• Urinary tract infection. Germs enter the tube leading to the bladder and cause inflammation and infection. Mild cases may clear up without treatment. Usually antibiotics are used to treat the infection
• The blood supply to the stoma may fail and cause damage to the bowel. This may need further surgery
• Stoma prolapse. Some of the bowel sticks out too far past the skin. For minor prolapses no treatment is needed. For more serious cases, more surgery may be needed
• Parastomal hernia, the bowel pushes through a weak point in the muscle wall and causes pain and bulging of the skin near the stoma. Minor hernias may need no treatment. Larger hernias may need more surgery
• Reddening of the skin and a rash in reaction to the glue used to stick the stoma bag. Changing the type of stoma bag usually treats this
• Bleeding inside the abdomen. The wound drain may measure this. A blood transfusion may be needed to replace lost blood. Sometimes more surgery is needed to stop the bleeding
• Rarely, during surgery, the ureter, which brings urine from the kidney to the bladder, may be damaged. This may require further surgery
• A urinary bladder problem where there is abnormal emptying of the bladder. It may empty without warning or may not empty at all. A tube (catheter) into the bladder may be used to drain the urine away
• Adhesions (bands of scar tissue) may develop inside the abdomen and the bowel may block. This is a short-term and long-term complication. This may require further surgery
• Bowel habits will change. Stools may become looser, smaller and more frequent. There may be some leakage of stools particularly at night depending on the type of surgery. In most people this improves in time without further treatment.
• Obese patients have an increased risk of wound infection, chest infection, heart and lung complications and thrombosis. The risk can be reduced by weight loss, however small, prior to surgery.
• Smokers have an increased risk of wound infection, chest infection, heart and lung complications and thrombosis. Giving up smoking before the operation will help reduce the risk
• Men may be unable to get an erection or keep an erection. It may also mean that they cannot ejaculate. For both men and women, time may improve the condition. Treatment for men may include counselling and medication
• In women it may cause pain during or after intercourse. For both men and women, time may improve the condition. For women, counselling and use of water soluble lubricants during intercourse may help

Recovering from your operation

After the operation the nursing staff will closely watch you until you have recovered from the anaesthetic. You may even be cared for in the Intensive Care Unit immediately following your surgery.

The recovery period after bowel surgery varies. In uncomplicated cases it usually involves a three to 10 day stay in the hospital. Immediately after your operation the following are usually in place for your care and wellbeing:

• Intravenous fluids via a cannula (fine plastic tube) in your neck or arm to keep you hydrated until you are able to drink enough. You may also be given medication via this tube,
• an epidural or patient controlled analgesia (PCA) machine in order to provide pain relief and enable you to feel able to move around more comfortably,
• a catheter (plastic tube) draining urine from your bladder into a collection bag so we can accurately measure the amount.

These are removed as soon as possible after your operation depending on your condition and rate of recovery. You will be discouraged from spending long periods of time in bed and will be given the help you require to carry out your daily hygiene, dietary and exercise routines until you gradually become stronger and more independent.

Diet

During the first few days of recovery, you will be able to eat but will probably have a reduced appetite. It is important to choose small amounts at more frequent intervals at first. Meals can be supplemented with nourishing soups and snacks and with high energy drinks. The body will use a lot of calories during the healing process.

Bowel actions

The bowel may take a little while to recover and work normally. This time will vary with individuals but you will know the bowel is beginning to work when you pass wind and / or have a bowel movement. It is perfectly normal for the bowels to be more erratic and less predictable after this type of operation.

Sometimes it is necessary to use medicines prescribed from the hospital or by your GP to slow down the gut or to use a gentle laxative to encourage bowel actions.

If you have a stoma

The stoma drains waste from the bowel into the collection bag. Most stoma waste is softer and more liquid than normally passed bowel waste.

The thickness depends on where the stoma is. If you have an ileostomy, your stoma will have been formed using the small bowel and the waste will be more liquid. If you have a colostomy, your stoma will have been formed using the large bowel and the waste will be more solid.

There is a wide variety of appliances (bags) available to suit your particular requirements. These stick to the skin around the stoma, are very discreet and most people easily adapt to taking care of their stoma themselves.

You will be given full information and support to enable you to manage your stoma both in the hospital and following your discharge.

Your lungs and blood supply

It is likely that after surgery you will wear elastic (anti-embolism) stockings. These are tight-fitting stockings that are used to reduce the risk of blood clots forming in your legs. You need to wear these stockings until you are as mobile as you were before your surgery.

Following surgery, it is very important that you start moving as soon as possible. This helps to prevent blood clots forming in your legs and possibly going to your lungs which can be fatal.

To reduce the risk of a blood clot after your surgery, you may be given a small injection to self-administer the night before your surgery. You may need to continue this for up to 28 days after your surgery.

You also need to do your deep breathing exercises. Take ten deep breaths every hour to prevent secretions collecting in the lungs. If this happens, you may develop a chest infection. At all costs, avoid smoking after surgery as this increases your risk of chest infection. Coughing is painful after abdominal
surgery.

Exercise

Expect to feel tired for some time after surgery. You need to take things easy and gradually return to normal activities and work, as you feel able. The time taken to recover from your operation varies and depends on you and the type of operation you have had. In most cases this should take no longer than two to six months.

Driving

Check with your insurance company about whether there are any exclusions to you driving. This includes being under the influence of some pain medication. Ensure you can do an emergency stop and wear a safety belt.

Lifting after surgery

The best advice is ‘if it hurts do not do it’. Lifting heavy weights is not advisable until about four weeks after your surgery.

Identification wristbands

Wristbands are used to identify hospital inpatients. When you are in hospital it is essential that you are given and wear a wristband with accurate details about you on it. This ensures that staff can identify you correctly and give you the right care.

Your photographic records

As part of your treatment, a photographic record may be made, such as X-ray(s), clinical photographs or digital images, which will be kept confidentially in your health records and seen only by people involved in your care or quality checking.

They are also extremely important for teaching or medical research so we may ask for your written consent to use your images, in which case your personal details will be removed so you cannot be identified.

Comments, compliments or complaints about your care

Please raise any concerns in the ward or department you are in. Ask to speak with the ward sister, matron or department manager. If your concerns cannot be resolved or you wish to make a formal complaint, please look at the PALS (Patient Advice & Liaison Service) page, call PALS on 0800 783 7328 or pick up a PALS leaflet at the hospital.

Your views

If you or a family member has recently been in Colchester Hospital, you can tell us about your experience by searching for ‘Colchester’ on the NHS Choices website (Opens in a new window), by writing to us or by filling in a ‘Friends & Family Test’ questionnaire.

© East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, 2021.
All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced in whole, or in part,
without the permission of the copyright owner.