colectomy
Meaning of colectomy: A colectomy is a surgical procedure that removes all or part of the colon to treat disease or injury affecting that organ.
Definition of colectomy
A colectomy is an operation to remove all or part of the colon, the segment of the large intestine that absorbs water and forms stool before it reaches the rectum. When only a portion is removed, the procedure is called a partial colectomy, and the remaining ends of the intestine are typically reconnected during the same operation.
A colectomy can be performed as open surgery, through a single larger incision that allows the surgeon to view the colon directly, or through a laparoscopic approach, using several small incisions along with a camera and long instruments to perform the same operation with less disruption to surrounding tissue.
A colectomy is used to treat a range of conditions affecting the colon, including cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, and blockages, and the extent of colon removed depends on the location and nature of the underlying problem.
How colectomy is built
- col/o, colon/o Combining form · Greek colon, large intestine
- -ectomy Suffix · Greek surgical removal, excision
A medical term is read from its ending backwards: the suffix first, then the prefix, then the root. See all 223 word parts.
Used in a sentence
The patient underwent a partial colectomy to remove a segment of colon affected by diverticulitis.
Good to know
Whether the two ends of the intestine are reconnected immediately or a temporary opening is created to divert stool depends on factors such as the reason for surgery and the condition of the remaining tissue.
Word origin
Where “colectomy” comes from
Formed from Greek kolon, referring to the large intestine, and the suffix -ectomy, from ektome, meaning a cutting out or excision.