Right Hemicolectomy

What is Right Hemicolectomy

Right hemicolectomy is a surgery performed to remove the right side of the colon (large intestine). The surgery is performed to treat conditions such as colon cancer and Crohn’s disease (inflammation of the digestive tract).

Right Hemicolectomy Procedure

Right hemicolectomy can be performed as either a laparoscopic or open surgery, under epidural anaesthesia. Your surgeon may make a large incision in the case of open surgery or several small incisions on the abdomen for laparoscopic surgery, to access the bowel. The right side of your colon and the last section of the small intestine is excised along with the attached blood vessels and lymph nodes. The remaining part of the colon and small intestine are then re-joined with the help of sutures or staples.

Risks Associated with Right Hemicolectomy

Like all surgeries, right hemicolectomy may be associated with complications such as bleeding and infection, leakage of bowel contents at the join, vomiting, abdominal distension and delay in the working of the bowel.