Large and Small Bowel Resection

The large bowel is also called the large intestine or colon. A large bowel resection is surgery to remove all or part of the large bowel. The surgery is also called colectomy.

 Removal of the entire colon and the rectum is called a proctocolectomy. Removal of part or all of the colon but not the rectum is called subtotal colectomy.

Large bowel resection is used to treat many conditions, such as:

•  A blockage in the intestine due to scar tissue.
•  Colon cancer.
•  Diverticular disease (disease of the large bowel).

The small bowel is also called the small intestine. A small bowel resection is performed when the small bowel is blocked or diseased. Most digestion of the food you eat takes place in the small intestine.

Small bowel resection may be recommended for:

•  A blockage in the intestine caused by scar tissue or birth deformities.
•  Bleeding, infection, or ulcers caused by inflammation of the small intestine caused by regional ileitis, regional enteritis, and Crohn’s disease.
•  Cancer.
•  Carcinoid tumor.
•  Injuries to the small intestine.
•  Meckel’s diverticulum.
•  Noncancerous (benign) tumors.
•  Precancerous polyps.