Colorectal Surgery

Colonic resections are technically more difficult than other abdominal surgeries.

In the surgery, the abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide gas to lift the abdominal wall away from the internal organs. 1 cm incisions in the abdominal wall provide access for the surgical instruments.

The laparoscope is inserted through one port and attached to a camera. It sends images from the abdominal cavity to television monitors placed for easy viewing by all the operating room personnel. Thus, the surgeon and his or her assistants can view the abdominal cavity and its contents. Through the remaining ports, long-handled instruments are used to perform fine dissection, cutting, and suturing, eventually joining two ends of bowel together, called an anastomosis.