Bowel Surgery Brisbane & Gold Coast

What is bowel surgery?

Bowel surgery is a major gastrointestinal procedure performed by a specialist general or colorectal surgeon. Bowel surgery is a resection procedure that is performed on the small intestine, large intestine (colon) and anorectum.

Why might I require bowel surgery?

Indications for bowel surgery include bowel cancer, diverticular disease, perforation of the bowel, or due to inflammatory bowel disease including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Depending on the disease and the clinical circumstance of the patient, the majority of bowel surgery is performed electively, and this allows the two ends of the resected intestine to be joined (anastomosis) without the need for a diverting / covering stoma bag.

Stomas are occasionally needed. Careful consideration will be made in Dr Chua’s decision-making process before recommending that a stoma be necessary. Often the reasons for needing a stoma are due to emergency bowel surgery due to a bowel obstruction. Most stomas can be reversed. At times, a stoma may become permanent because the anus or rectum has been completely removed (often due to cancer).

Key hole laparoscopic bowel surgery

Dr Terence Chua is a colorectal surgeon who performs bowel surgery across Brisbane, Redland, Sunnybank and the Gold Coast, Queensland.

Key-hole or laparoscopic bowel surgery is the preferred approach that Dr Chua adopts when performing bowel surgery. Laparoscopic surgery reduces postoperative pain, achieves earlier return of gastrointestinal function, reduced length of hospital stay and earlier return to work. There are some contraindications to laparoscopic bowel surgery for example extensive intra-abdominal adhesions from previous surgery.

Open or laparotomy bowel surgery

Open surgery or laparotomy for bowel surgery is an operation most commonly performed through a vertical midline incision. This is the conventional method of performing an abdominal operation. A laparotomy will allow a thorough visual and tactile exploration of the abdominal cavity and may be more suitable in patients with advanced cancer to improve operative exposure and achieve an improved resection outcome.

Preparing for bowel surgery

On the day prior to bowel surgery, a clear fluid diet is recommended. Depending on the location of where the resection will be performed, bowel preparation may be required. This will involves the consumption of Picoprep at 2pm and 6pm the day before the procedure. Immediately after the surgery and depending on the nature of the surgery, you may wake up with a nasogastric tube to achieve decompression of your bowels to reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting. In the elective setting, this is often not required.

What is the recovery like after bowel surgery?

Adequate analgesia will be provided to allow early postoperative mobilization. Surgical drains and urinary catheters will be removed early. Early feeding with clear/free fluids will commence and be progressed as gastrointestinal function is regained. You will be discharged from hospital once bowel movement is achieved. A typical admission is between 4 and 7 days.