Last Updated on December 2, 2025 by Bilal Hasdemir

A sigmoid colectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the diseased part of the bowel. This part is the sigmoid colon. It’s mainly done to treat sigmoid colon cancer or diverticulitis. Discover what a sigmoid colectomy is, how it’s done, and what to expect during recovery.

The surgery can be done in two ways: a traditional open approach or a minimally invasive laparoscopic method. Knowing about this procedure is key for patients to make the right choice for their treatment.

Key Takeaways

• A sigmoid colectomy involves removing the diseased sigmoid colon.
• The surgery can be performed using traditional or laparoscopic methods.
• It’s typically done to treat sigmoid colon cancer or diverticulitis.
• Understanding the procedure helps patients make informed decisions.
• The operation is also known as sigmoid colon surgery or sigmoid resection.

Understanding the Sigmoid Colon and Its Function

The sigmoid colon is a key part of the large intestine. It’s important for our digestive system. It’s shaped like an S and sits between the descending colon and the rectum. It holds feces until they leave our body.

Anatomy of the Sigmoid Colon

The sigmoid colon has a unique S-shaped curvature. This shape lets it fit in the pelvic area. It connects to the rectum and helps with waste elimination. Knowing its anatomy helps us understand its role and any problems like diverticulitis or cancer. These issues might need a sigmoid colon resection.

Role in Digestive System

The sigmoid colon’s main job is to store and eliminate feces. It holds waste until it’s time to go. This is key for regular bowel movements and good digestive health. Its functions include:

• Storage of fecal matter
• Elimination of waste
• Maintenance of bowel regularity

Knowing how the sigmoid colon works helps us understand our bodies better. It shows how important a healthy digestive system is.

What is a Sigmoid Colectomy?

A sigmoid colectomy is when doctors remove the sigmoid colon. This is done for patients with certain colon problems. These include diverticulitis, colorectal cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Definition and Overview

A sigmoid colectomy, or sigmoidectomy, removes the sigmoid colon part of the large intestine. It can be done in different ways. One is laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy, which uses smaller cuts.

The main aim is to take out the sick part of the colon. This helps ease symptoms and can even cure colon cancer. It greatly improves life quality for those with severe colon diseases.

Historical Development of the Procedure

The historical development of sigmoid colectomy has made big strides. At first, it was done with open surgery, needing a big cut and taking longer to heal. Later, laparoscopic techniques came along, making it less invasive and quicker to get better.

Then, robotic-assisted surgeries improved it even more. They made the surgery more precise and successful. These changes have made sigmoid colectomies safer and more effective for treating colon issues.

Common Indications for Sigmoid Colectomy

Sigmoid colectomy is a surgery for the sigmoid colon. It’s done for many medical reasons. Knowing these reasons helps patients and doctors choose the best treatment.

Diverticular Disease and Diverticulitis

Diverticular disease and diverticulitis are top reasons for this surgery. Diverticulitis happens when small pouches in the sigmoid colon get inflamed. It causes severe pain, changes in bowel habits, and serious complications if not treated.

Surgery is often needed for repeated diverticulitis or when complications happen.

Colorectal and Sigmoid Cancer

Sigmoid colon cancer is another big reason for this surgery. Sigmoid colon cancer is a type of colorectal cancer. Surgery is key in treating it. The goal is to remove the cancerous part of the colon.

After surgery, patients might get chemotherapy or radiation therapy based on the cancer’s stage and other factors.

Inflammatory Bowel Conditions

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can also lead to sigmoid colectomy. When IBD severely affects the sigmoid colon and other treatments fail, surgery might be needed. It helps to ease symptoms and improve life quality.

Other Medical Conditions

Less common reasons for sigmoid colectomy include severe damage or obstruction of the sigmoid colon. Sometimes, the surgery is suggested for significant dysfunction of the sigmoid colon. This impacts a patient’s health a lot.

Deciding on sigmoid colectomy involves careful evaluation. It considers the patient’s health, the severity of their condition, and the surgery’s benefits.

Types of Sigmoid Colectomy Procedures

Modern surgery has brought many options for sigmoid colectomy. Patients can choose based on their health and the type of surgery needed.

Laparoscopic Sigmoid Colectomy

Laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy is a new way to do surgery. It uses small cuts in the belly. This method is gentler than old-school surgery.

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Approach

This surgery has many perks. It means smaller cuts, less pain, and a faster recovery. It also lowers the chance of infections.

Candidate Selection for Laparoscopic Surgery

Not everyone can have this surgery. Doctors look at the disease’s size, past surgeries, and the patient’s health.

Open Sigmoid Colectomy

Open sigmoid colectomy uses a bigger cut in the belly. It’s needed for tough cases or when other surgeries won’t work.

When Open Surgery is Necessary

Open surgery is for severe cases. This includes big tumors or when laparoscopic surgery can’t be done.

Recovery Differences from Laparoscopic Approach

Recovering from open surgery takes longer. Patients stay in the hospital longer and feel more pain.

Robotic-Assisted Sigmoid Colectomy

Robotic-assisted sigmoid colectomy is a cutting-edge method. It gives surgeons better control and view. This makes complex surgeries easier.

Surgical Approach	Incision Size	Recovery Time	Postoperative Pain
Laparoscopic	Small	Quicker	Less
Open	Large	Longer	More
Robotic-Assisted	Small	Quicker	Less

Preparing for Sigmoid Colon Surgery

Sigmoid colon surgery needs careful preparation. This includes medical checks, diet changes, and bowel cleaning. Getting ready right is key to avoid risks and make recovery smoother.

Medical Evaluations and Tests

Before surgery, patients get many medical checks and tests. These help doctors understand the patient’s health and the disease’s extent. Tests like blood work, CT scans, and colonoscopy are common.

Common tests include:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC)
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Imaging studies (e.g., CT scans)

Dietary Restrictions and Nutritional Preparation

Changing your diet is important before sigmoid colon surgery. Doctors might suggest a diet that’s easy to digest and full of nutrients. This helps keep you healthy and lowers surgery risks.

Dietary Recommendation	Purpose
High-protein diet	Enhance healing
Avoid high-fiber foods	Reduce bowel irritation
Stay hydrated	Maintain overall health

Bowel Preparation Protocol

Bowel preparation is a big step before sigmoid colectomy. Patients might take a strong laxative to clean the bowel. This is important to lower infection risks during surgery.

The bowel prep steps can change based on the doctor and patient’s needs. It’s vital to follow these steps carefully to clean the bowel well.

The Sigmoid Colectomy Procedure Step by Step

Knowing the steps of sigmoid colectomy is key for patients. This surgery has several important steps for a good outcome.

Anesthesia and Initial Incisions

The surgery starts with anesthesia to keep the patient comfortable. The type of anesthesia depends on the surgery’s needs.

After anesthesia, the team makes the first cuts. These cuts vary based on the surgery type. Laparoscopic surgery uses smaller cuts, while open surgery needs a bigger cut.

Removal of the Sigmoid Colon

The next step is removing the diseased sigmoid colon. The team must carefully cut it from nearby tissues. This step is very important and needs a lot of care.

Removing the colon involves several key steps. These include tying off blood vessels and freeing the colon. The goal is to take out the bad part and keep the good colon.

Reconnecting the Bowel (Anastomosis)

After removing the colon, the team reconnects the bowel. This is called anastomosis and is key for normal digestion.

Anastomosis can be done in different ways, like stapling or sewing. The choice depends on the patient and the surgeon.

• The bowel ends are prepared for anastomosis.
• The anastomosis is done carefully to avoid leaks.
• The connection is checked to make sure it’s secure.

Closing the Incision

The last step is closing the incision. For laparoscopic surgeries, small cuts are closed with stitches or staples. Open surgery cuts are closed in layers for healing.

Closing the wound right is important to avoid complications like infection or hernia.

Recovery After Sigmoid Colectomy

Recovering from a sigmoid colectomy involves several steps. These include staying in the hospital, recovering at home, and slowly getting back to daily activities. The time it takes to recover can vary. It depends on the surgery type and the patient’s health.

Immediate Post-Operative Care

Right after surgery, getting the right care is key. Doctors watch for any problems like infections or bleeding. They also focus on managing pain.

Hospital Stay Duration and Expectations

How long you stay in the hospital can be different. It usually ranges from three to ten days. This depends on if the surgery was done through a small cut or a bigger incision. Before you go home, your doctors will give you important care instructions.

Home Recovery Guidelines

When you go home, you need to follow certain rules. This includes eating the right foods and knowing what activities to avoid.

Diet Progression After Surgery

Starting with a liquid diet is common. As you heal, you’ll slowly move to eating solid foods again.

Physical Activity Limitations

For a few weeks, you should not do heavy lifting or bending. It’s important to avoid any activities that are too strenuous.

Activity	Recommended Limitation
Heavy Lifting	Avoid for 4-6 weeks
Bending or Strenuous Activities	Avoid for 4-6 weeks

Return to Normal Activities Timeline

When you can go back to normal activities varies. It usually happens within a few weeks. But, it can take months to fully recover.

“The key to a successful recovery is following the post-operative instructions provided by your healthcare team and being patient with your body’s healing process.”

By following your doctor’s advice and being patient, you can heal well. This way, you can get back to your usual life sooner.

Potential Risks and Complications of Sigmoid Colectomy

It’s important to know the risks of sigmoid colectomy before making a decision. While it’s usually safe, there are possible complications to be aware of.

Short-Term Complications

Right after surgery, some complications can happen. These include:

Infection and Bleeding

Infection is a risk with any surgery, including sigmoid colectomy. Post-operative infection can happen at the surgery site or inside the body. Bleeding can also occur during or after surgery, sometimes needing blood transfusions.

Anastomotic Leak

An anastomotic leak is a serious issue. It’s when the connection between bowel segments leaks. This can cause severe infection and might need more surgery to fix.

Long-Term Complications

Some issues can last long after surgery. These include:

Bowel Function Changes

After sigmoid colectomy, bowel habits can change. This might affect how often you go or if you can control your bowel movements.

Adhesions and Bowel Obstruction

Adhesions can form in the abdomen after surgery. They can cause bowel obstruction. This is when the intestine gets blocked, causing pain and might need more surgery.

Warning Signs to Watch For

It’s key to know the warning signs of complications. Look out for severe abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, or signs of infection at the surgery site. If you notice these, get medical help right away.

Complication	Description	Warning Signs
Infection	Post-operative infection at the surgical site or internally	Fever, redness, swelling
Anastomotic Leak	Leakage at the connection between bowel segments	Severe abdominal pain, fever
Bowel Obstruction	Blockage of the intestine due to adhesions	Severe abdominal pain, vomiting

Choosing the Right Surgeon and Hospital for Your Sigmoid Colectomy

Choosing the right medical team for a sigmoid colectomy is key. It greatly affects how well you do after surgery. The surgeon’s skill and the hospital’s care quality are very important.

Surgeon Qualifications and Experience

For a sigmoid colectomy, the surgeon’s skills matter a lot. Find a board-certified colorectal surgeon with many successful surgeries under their belt. Their experience with tough cases can help your recovery a lot.

Hospital Quality Metrics for Colorectal Surgery

Also, check the hospital’s quality. Make sure it’s accredited and has good colorectal surgery metrics. Look for a hospital with a colorectal cancer program or a specialized team for better care.

Questions to Ask Before Surgery

Before surgery, ask important questions. Ask about the surgeon’s experience, the hospital’s infection control, and the care plan after surgery. Knowing this helps you make a better choice.

Long-Term Outcomes and Quality of Life

It’s important to know how sigmoid colectomy affects patients in the long run. This surgery can change a person’s life, but it brings many benefits. It’s very helpful for those with diverticulitis or colorectal cancer.

Digestive Function After Surgery

Patients might notice their bowel movements change after surgery. But, for many, digestive function gets close to normal again. Eating a balanced diet is key to handling any digestive changes.

Follow-Up Care Requirements

Getting regular check-ups is vital, even more so for cancer patients. These visits help watch for cancer coming back and manage side effects. The schedule includes colonoscopies, imaging tests, and physical exams.

Follow-Up Care	Frequency	Purpose
Colonoscopy	Every 3-5 years	Monitor for polyps or cancer recurrence
Imaging Tests (CT scans)	As recommended by the doctor	Check for any signs of cancer spread
Physical Examination	Regularly, as advised	Assess overall health and detect any issues early

Long-Term Survival Rates for Cancer Patients

Cancer patients have good chances of survival after sigmoid colectomy. The five-year survival rate depends on the cancer stage at diagnosis. Those with early-stage cancer tend to do better.

Conclusion

A sigmoid colectomy is a big surgery that needs careful thought and planning. Knowing about the reasons for it, the different types, how to prepare, and what to expect during recovery helps patients. It also helps them understand the possible risks.

This surgery is often needed for problems like diverticular disease, colorectal cancer, and inflammatory bowel diseases. The choice of surgery – laparoscopic, open, or robotic-assisted – depends on the patient’s needs and the surgeon’s skills.

In summary, with proper care and support, many people have successful sigmoid colectomies. They then live healthy, active lives. This shows how important a detailed approach to sigmoid colectomy is, from start to finish.

FAQ

References

National Institutes of Health. Evidence-Based Medical Insight. Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/diverticular-disease