London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
Hemicolectomy
A procedure to remove a diseased part of the colon
What is a hemicolectomy?
A hemicolectomy is an operation to remove part of your large bowel (colon/intestine) to treat bowel cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and other inflammatory conditions.
Either side of your bowel can be removed depending on the location of the disease (a right or left hemicolectomy). You will be told where your disease is located.
Need to know
Your consultant will remove the diseased part of your bowel along with a portion of normal bowel from either side in order to help ensure complete excision. The two healthy ends of your bowel are then joined by stapling or stitching them together (anastamosed). Very occasionally a stoma may be required to allow the anastamosis to heal. This is usually a temporary measure and will be reversed at a later date.
Your consultant will let you know how best to prepare for your procedure.
You will spend around one week in hospital, depending on the rate of your recovery. You will wake up with a drip to keep you hydrated, and to replace body fluids. You’ll have a catheter in your bladder to drain urine. This is usually removed within two days.
You will be discharged with pain relief medication for any pain your experience. Ensure you try and eat a sensible diet with plenty of fluids, fresh fruit and vegetables. It is not unusual for your motions to be looser than before and for you to need to open your bowels more frequently.
Our Hemicolectomy locations
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
London Digestive Centre
41 Welbeck Street W1G 8EA London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.