Approximately 100,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with colon cancer this year alone. Of these, over 90 percent will require surgery to remove all or part of the colon. These patients often face a long and difficult recovery because the traditional "open" surgical procedures are highly invasive － requiring a long incision and lengthy recovery time.
Akron General now offers laparoscopic colon surgery for colorectal cancer － as well as for non-cancerous colon problems including: diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease, benign polyps, bleeding and severe constipation. This new procedure requires smaller incisions and results in a shorter recovery time.
Detailing the differences
With traditional “open” colon surgery, a 6-8-inch incision is made in the abdomen to view the problem and repair the damaged colon. With our new laparoscopy-assisted surgery, 3-to-4 one-centimeter incisions are made through which the laparoscope and surgical tools are inserted. The laparoscope, a tube-like instrument with a light and lens at its tip, enables the surgeons and staff to see inside the abdomen via a video monitor that receives live images from the device. One of the incisions is then extended to about two inches to remove the section of the colon from the abdomen, repair it or remove the diseased part, attach the remaining healthy sections and then reinsert the colon back into the abdomen.
According to Akron General Surgeon Scott Awender, MD, “The laparoscope allows us to see inside the abdomen without having to make a large incision, which reduces the recovery rate to about half as long as with traditional colon surgery.” Patients generally are hospitalized for five days and can return to minimal daily activity within a short period of time. Light activity can be resumed within weeks and strenuous activity after six weeks.
While results vary depending upon the type of procedure and patient's overall condition, common advantages of laparoscopic colon surgery include:
- Less postoperative pain
- Shorter hospital stay
- Possible faster return to solid food diet
- Possible quicker return of bowel function
- Quicker return to normal activity
- Improved cosmetic results
“While the laparoscopic surgery can be a highly successful tool for the right patient, this approach to colon surgery is not appropriate for everyone,” explains Dr. Awender. “Traditional surgery is usually necessary if the situation is an emergency, if the patient has a history of several surgeries or if the colon is ruptured.”
His laparoscopic solution
When Fred Couts, 61, experienced rectal bleeding and lightheadedness one day in 2001, he and his wife sought immediate medical care. “I was admitted to Akron General that same day and immediately received a colonoscopy,” recalls Fred. “They found benign polyps, which were causing the bleeding.” After several attempts to remove the polyps and several colonoscopies to track growth, a colonoscopy in 2005 showed the polyps were still growing and would require colon surgery. “The location of the polyps made Fred an ideal candidate for laparoscopic colectomy,” explains Dr. Awender.
After his five-day hospital stay following surgery, Fred resumed daily activities immediately. “Although I had to avoid lifting, I was amazed at how normal I could go through my day’s activities,” he recalls. “The surgery was a success, and you’d hardly know I had it!”
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. However, colorectal cancer has a high cure rate if detected and treated early. Prevention is key, and certain lifestyle changes could prevent colorectal cancer, including:
- Increased fiber in the form of beans, whole grains, vegetables and fruits;
- Regular exercise;
- Limited alcohol intake;
- Not smoking;
- Regular screenings, beginning at age 50 for people with no medical risk factors or family history, or earlier with risks or family history.
For more information on preventing, detecting and treating colon and other types of cancer, contact Akron General’s McDowell Cancer Center at 330-344-HOPE (4673). For a free physician referral, call us at 330-344-AGMC (2462), or visit us online at www.akrongeneral.org and click on Find A Doctor.
