Dr Milica Nestorović
specialist in general surgery, colorectal surgery and proctology (subspecialist in oncology)
Book an appointment with Dr Milica NestorovićLarge bowel surgery (colon resection) in Niš
Removal of the diseased part of the large bowel and joining the healthy ends, open or laparoscopic. The surgeon decides on the extent after examination and diagnostics.
At a glance
- Procedure
- Colon resectionremoval of part of the large bowel
- Method
- Open or laparoscopic
- Anaesthetic
- General
- Tissue analysis
- Pathologyexplained at follow-up
Facts and description
Large bowel surgery (colon resection) is the removal of the diseased part of the large bowel and joining the healthy ends, by hand or with surgical staples. At Maja Hospital, Vizantijski bulevar 39 in Niš, the price list includes open and laparoscopic segmental colon resection, total colectomy and proctocolectomy. The operations are carried out by surgeons who specialise in colorectal surgery, and the surgeon decides on the extent after examination and diagnostics.
All facts
- Procedure
- Removing the diseased part of the large bowel (segmental colon resection) and joining the healthy ends (anastomosis)
- Bowel join
- By hand or with surgical staples (stapled anastomosis)
- Larger operations
- Total colectomy (removal of the whole large bowel) and proctocolectomy (large bowel and rectum)
- Methods
- Open or laparoscopic surgery
- Anaesthetic
- General anaesthetic, given by an anaesthetist
- Before surgery
- Usually colonoscopy and imaging; bowel preparation as instructed by the surgeon
- Price
- The items are in the price table on this page; some more complex operations are priced on request.
When the operation is usually considered
- Polyps of the large bowel that cannot be removed endoscopically
- Tumours of the large bowel
- Repeated or complicated diverticulitis
- Other bowel diseases, according to the surgeon's findings
What to know before deciding
- For many conditions surgery is not the first choice of treatment
- With tumours, treatment often also includes oncological treatment
- Sometimes a temporary stoma is needed
The path to the operation
Step 1: Surgical consultation
The surgeon discusses your symptoms, reviews colonoscopy and imaging results and explains the treatment plan.
Step 2: Diagnostics and preparation
Tests and scans are done; for bowel operations the surgeon decides whether bowel preparation is needed.
Step 3: Anaesthesia
The anaesthetist assesses your general health; major bowel operations are usually done under general anaesthesia.
Step 4: Operation
Open or laparoscopic, depending on the findings and the surgeon's assessment.
Step 5: Recovery and follow-up
You go home when the bowel works, you can eat and move; the surgeon explains the tissue report at follow-up.
Large bowel surgery: prices
Our specialists
Prim. Dr Dragoslav Miljković
specialist in general surgery, colorectal surgery and proctology
Book an appointment with Prim. Dr Dragoslav Miljković
Dr Dragan Mihajlović, MSc
specialist in general surgery, colorectal surgery and proctology
Book an appointment with Dr Dragan MihajlovićRecovery
- Pain and discomfort around the wound are expected in the first days. The surgeon prescribes pain relief.
- Walking is encouraged from the first days, and daily activities are resumed gradually.
- Keep the wound clean and dry. The surgeon will tell you when you can shower, and when you can take a bath or swim.
- Stitches, unless they are dissolvable, are removed at the follow-up appointment.
- With severe abdominal pain, difficulty breathing or chest pain, call the emergency service on 194 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Show 3 more: Recovery
- Lifting and heavy physical effort are avoided for as long as the surgeon advises.
- After a general anaesthetic, do not drive for at least 24 hours and have someone with you for the first 24 hours.
- Contact the surgeon if you develop a temperature of 38 °C or higher, redness, pus or heavier bleeding from the wound, pain that gets worse, or nausea and vomiting that do not stop.
How to prepare
- Have the tests that the surgeon and anaesthetist ask for, usually a blood count, biochemistry, clotting tests and an ECG.
- Tell the doctor about allergies and medicines, and do not change blood thinners or diabetes medicines on your own.
- Do not eat or drink before the operation, exactly as instructed by the hospital.
- Stop smoking as early as possible before the operation.
Show 4 more: How to prepare
- Bring your ID card, health insurance card, results, a list of medicines and loose, comfortable clothes.
- Arrange for someone to accompany you and to help at home for the first days after the operation.
- Bring colonoscopy, imaging and pathology results, if you have them.
- Do bowel preparation, if needed, only as instructed by the surgeon.
When to contact the surgeon or the emergency service
Call the emergency service (194) straight away if:
- Severe abdominal pain that gets worse
- Vomiting with a swollen abdomen and no wind or stools
- Heavy bleeding from the bowel or stoma
- Difficulty breathing or chest pain
Contact the surgeon if after the operation you have:
- A temperature of 38 °C or higher, or shivering
- Redness, pus or bleeding from the wound
- The stoma changes colour, swells or stops working
- Nausea or vomiting that do not stop
In detail
What is a colon resection?
In a colon resection the surgeon removes the diseased part of the large bowel and joins the healthy ends, by hand or with surgical staples. When only one part is removed, it is a segmental resection. The operation is done under general anaesthetic, open or laparoscopically. Sometimes a temporary stoma is made to protect the join while it heals. The removed tissue is sent for pathology, and the surgeon explains the report at follow-up.
When is large bowel surgery done?
Large bowel surgery is most often considered for polyps that cannot be removed endoscopically, tumours of the large bowel, repeated or complicated diverticulitis and other bowel diseases. For many conditions surgery is not the first choice. The surgeon decides after a consultation, colonoscopy, imaging and laboratory results. With tumours, treatment often also includes oncological treatment, usually decided by a multidisciplinary team.
Total colectomy, proctocolectomy and small bowel surgery
When needed, the whole large bowel is removed (total colectomy) and the small bowel is joined to the rectum. In a proctocolectomy the large bowel and rectum are removed; a reservoir can then be formed from the end of the small bowel and joined to the anal canal (J-pouch), or a permanent ileostomy is formed. The price list also includes resection of the duodenum and small bowel. These operations are priced on request.
Frequently asked questions
What does large bowel surgery involve?
The surgeon removes the diseased part of the bowel and joins the healthy ends, by hand or with surgical staples. The operation is done under general anaesthetic, open or laparoscopically. The removed tissue is sent for pathology.
How much does large bowel surgery cost in Niš?
The Maja Hospital general surgery price list has items for open and laparoscopic segmental colon resection, with a hand-sewn or stapled join; total colectomy and proctocolectomy are priced on request. All items are in the price table on this page.
How long is the hospital stay after bowel surgery?
It depends on the type of operation, the method, general health and recovery. You go home when the bowel works again, you can eat and move and the pain is under control.
Is a colonoscopy needed before surgery?
Before large bowel surgery the surgeon usually asks for a colonoscopy, which examines the whole large bowel. Colonoscopy is offered by the internal medicine service of Maja Health Centre.
The information in this text is general in nature and does not replace an examination by a doctor.
Book an appointment: Large bowel surgery
Information on this website does not replace a medical examination. Treatment is decided by a doctor after the examination.