Open Colectomy

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• An open colectomy is surgery to remove some or all of your colon. The colon is the long tube that connects the small bowel with the anus (opening through which stool passes). The colon absorbs water from digested foods and turns the digested food into stool. It stores the stool until it passes out through your anus. Your caregiver may have told you that you need an open colectomy because you have cancer. You may also need an open colectomy if you have a bowel obstruction. This is where all or part of your bowels are blocked and stool cannot easily travel through them. You may also need an open colectomy if you have a disease that causes bleeding, infection, or swelling.
  
  
• During your colectomy, your caregiver will cut your abdomen (belly) and remove part or all of your colon. If you have cancer, your caregiver will look at your nearby organs and body tissue. He will check to see if the cancer has spread to other parts of your body. Having an open colectomy may help you be in less pain. Your swelling may go away and you may stop bleeding. It may be easier for your stool to travel through your bowels. If you have cancer, an open colectomy may remove part or all of the cancer from your body. An open colectomy may help you live longer and improve the quality of your daily life.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicine. Do not use any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver. If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.

• Antibiotics: This medicine is given to fight or prevent an infection caused by bacteria. Always take your antibiotics exactly as ordered by your caregiver. Keep taking this medicine until it is completely gone, even if you feel better. Stopping antibiotics without your caregiver's OK may make the medicine unable to kill all of the germs. Never "save" antibiotics or take leftover antibiotics that were given to you for another illness.
  
  
• Blood thinners: This medicine helps stop clots from forming in your blood. Blood thinners may be given before, during, and after a surgery or procedure. Blood thinners make it easier for you to bleed or bruise. If you shave, use an electric shaver. Use a soft toothbrush to help keep your gums from bleeding.
  
  
• Pain medicine: You may be given medicine to take at home to take away or decrease pain. Your caregiver will tell you how much to take and how often to take it. Take the medicine exactly as directed by your caregiver. Do not wait until the pain is too bad before taking your medicine. The medicine may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it. Tell caregivers if the pain medicine does not help, or if your pain comes back too soon.
  
  
• Stool softeners: You may be given stool softeners to soften your bowel movements, making them easier to pass.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

• You may need to have blood tests after your surgery. You may also need imaging tests, such as an x-ray of your chest. You may need a colonoscopy to check your colon or intestines. A colonoscope is a soft, bendable tube with a light and tiny camera on the end. It takes pictures of the inside of your colon, which may be shown on a TV-like screen. Other tests may help your caregiver see if you have cancer in other body organs. Ask your caregiver when to come back for these tests and treatments.
  
  
  • CT scan:
    
    
    • This is also called a CAT scan. A special x-ray machine uses a computer to take pictures of your colon, abdomen, or chest. It may be used to look at bones, muscles, body tissue, and blood vessels.
      
      
    • You may be given dye before the pictures are taken. The dye is usually given in your IV, a tube in your vein. The dye may help your caregiver see the pictures better. People who are allergic to shellfish (lobster, crab, or shrimp) may be allergic to some dyes. Tell your caregiver if you are allergic to shellfish, or have other allergies or medical conditions.
    
    
  • Ultrasound:
    
    
    • An abdominal ultrasound is a simple test that looks inside of your abdomen. Sound waves are used to show pictures of your abdomen on a TV-like screen.
      
      
  
  
• If you have cancer, you may need more treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation.
  
  
  • Chemotherapy:
    
    
    • This medicine, often called chemo, is used to treat cancer. It works by killing tumor cells. Chemotherapy may also be used to shrink lymph nodes that have cancer in them. Once the tumor is smaller, you may need surgery to cut out the rest of the cancer.
      
      
    • Many different chemotherapy medicines are used to treat cancer. You may need blood tests often. These blood tests show how your body is doing and how much chemotherapy is needed. Chemotherapy can have many side effects. Caregivers will watch you closely and will work with you to decrease side effects. Chemotherapy can cure some cancers. Even if the chemotherapy does not cure your cancer, it may help you feel better or live longer.
    
    
  • Radiation: This is a treatment using x-rays or gamma rays to treat cancer. Radiation kills cancer and keeps the cancer from spreading. It also keeps cancer cells from dividing into new cells, which is one way cancer spreads. Lymph nodes with cancer are also treated with radiation. In some cancers, radiation may be given after surgery to kill cancer cells that were not removed. It may also be given with chemotherapy. Radiation may help decrease pain, control bleeding, and shrink the tumor.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever (high body temperature).
  
  
• You have nausea (upset stomach) or you start to vomit (throw up).
  
  
• The skin around your belly is red, swollen, or has pus coming out near your stitches.
  
  
• Your stitches come apart.
  
  
• You have trouble urinating or have a burning feeling when you urinate.
  
  
• You are unable to have a bowel movement or pass gas.
  
  
• You see blood in your stool or on your toilet paper.
  
  
• You have questions about your surgery, condition, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have trouble breathing.
  
  
• You have chest pain.
  
  
• You have bleeding that does not stop.
  
  
• You have very bad pain in your stomach.
  
  
• Your stomach is swollen.
  
  
• You cannot eat without vomiting.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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