|  | Surgeries Operations | Surgeries

Partial Colectomy & Hartmann Procedures

Partial colectomy and Hartmann procedures are surgical procedures by which doctors remove part of the colon--also called the large intestine--and reattach the remaining part of the colon so that waste can continue to leave the digestive tract. Understanding partial colectomy and Hartmann procedures involves getting a clearer picture of each procedure and what to expect.

  1. Partial Colectomy

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, doctors perform a partial colectomy to clear bowel obstructions, to treat a perforated bowel, to remove colon cancers, to clear tissue affected by Crohn's Disease or to treat ulcerative colitis. Mayo Clinic experts report that there are two options for colectomy surgery: open surgery or laparoscopic surgery. Open surgery features a large incision to open your abdomen so the surgeon can detach your colon and cut it as needed. Laparoscopic surgery allows the surgeon to use small incisions to insert surgical tools and a camera to perform the procedure.

    Hartmann Procedure

    • The Hartmann procedure, also called a colostomy, is a surgical technique by which doctors create an opening in the abdomen and attach a resected colon to it, according to Mayo Clinic staff. Doctors attach a bag to the opening to collect digestive waste that passes through the colon. Depending on the purpose of performing the Hartmann procedure, the bag can be temporary or permanent. For diseases such as Crohn's or ulcerative colitis, doctors can re-attach the colon to the rectum once the inflammation in the colon goes away. For other diseases, such as perforated bowels or cancer, the procedure is permanent.

    Expectations

    • Patients who undergo a partial colectomy and Hartmann procedure can expect to stay in the hospital for about a week as their bodies regain regular bowel function, according to Mayo Clinic materials. It may be some time before your body can handle solid food. Specially trained nurses, called ostomy nurses, will meet with you before you leave the hospital to show you how to care for the opening in your abdomen to prevent infection, change the colostomy bag and maintain bowel health. Mayo Clinic doctors report that post-surgical recovery ranges from one to two weeks.

Surgeries - Related Articles