Sigmoid Colectomy
What is Sigmoid Colectomy?
A sigmoid colectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the sigmoid colon, the S-shaped portion of the large intestine closest to the rectum, often performed to treat sigmoid colon cancer, diverticulitis, or other conditions affecting this region. The remaining colon is then reconnected to the rectum (anastomosis) to restore bowel continuity, though a temporary stoma may be created in some cases. In India, sigmoid colectomy is conducted in specialized colorectal surgery centers, offering high-quality care at affordable costs. For patients and families in India, understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) is essential for informed decision-making and optimal outcomes.
Why do you need Sigmoid Colectomy?
Sigmoid colectomy is indicated for:
- Sigmoid colon cancer: Tumors in the sigmoid colon, often detected via colonoscopy.
- Diverticulitis: Recurrent or complicated cases (e.g., abscess, perforation, fistula) unresponsive to medical therapy.
- Sigmoid volvulus: Twisting of the sigmoid colon causing obstruction, common in older adults.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis with sigmoid involvement.
- Benign conditions: Large polyps, strictures, or trauma causing obstruction or bleeding.
The procedure aims to remove diseased tissue, prevent complications (e.g., cancer spread, perforation), and restore bowel function. In India, hospitals like Apollo, Fortis, Medanta, and AIIMS specialize in sigmoid colectomy, using open, laparoscopic, or robotic-assisted techniques.
Why Do Sigmoid Colectomy Costs Vary in India?
Costs range from ₹2 lakh to ₹8 lakh:
- Procedure Type: Open (₹2–5 lakh), laparoscopic (₹3–6 lakh), robotic (₹4–8 lakh).
- Hospital/Location: Higher in metro cities (Apollo, Fortis); lower in government hospitals (AIIMS, ₹50,000–₹2 lakh).
- Surgeon’s Expertise: Experienced colorectal surgeons charge more.
- Additional Costs: Diagnostics (CT, colonoscopy), ICU, stoma supplies (₹2,000–₹5,000/month), adjuvant therapy (₹1–3 lakh).
- Insurance: Covered for cancer, diverticulitis, or emergencies; Ayushman Bharat offers subsidies.
Sigmoid Colectomy Procedure
The procedure is tailored to the condition, disease extent, and patient health:
- Before Surgery Evaluation:
- Diagnosis:
- Colonoscopy with biopsy confirms cancer, diverticulitis, or other pathology.
- CT scan assesses disease extent, complications (e.g., abscess), or metastasis.
- Blood tests measure CEA (cancer marker), inflammation (CRP), and surgical fitness.
- Bowel preparation (laxatives, enemas) clears the colon 1–2 days prior.
- Antibiotics (e.g., metronidazole, ciprofloxacin) are given for infection or prophylaxis.
- Patients are counseled on potential stoma creation (temporary or permanent) and recovery.
- Diagnosis:
- Surgical Techniques:
- Open Sigmoid Colectomy:
- Performed under general anesthesia, lasting 2–4 hours.
- A midline abdominal incision provides access to the sigmoid colon.
- The sigmoid colon is mobilized by dividing its blood supply (inferior mesenteric artery branches) and surrounding attachments.
- The diseased segment is resected, ensuring clear margins (5 cm for cancer).
- The descending colon is anastomosed to the rectum using sutures or a stapling device.
- A temporary loop ileostomy or colostomy may be created to protect the anastomosis, especially in emergency cases or high-risk patients.
- Laparoscopic Sigmoid Colectomy:
- Minimally invasive, using 4–5 small incisions, a laparoscope, and instruments.
- Suitable for elective cases (e.g., early-stage cancer, diverticulitis), offering less pain and faster recovery.
- Takes 2–4 hours; conversion to open surgery is possible if complications arise.
- Robotic-Assisted Sigmoid Colectomy:
- Uses robotic systems (e.g., da Vinci) for enhanced precision, particularly in the pelvis.
- More expensive, available in centers like Apollo or Medanta.
- Emergency Sigmoid Colectomy:
- For perforation, obstruction, or volvulus, often requiring a Hartmann’s procedure: resection with an end colostomy and rectal stump closure, reversed later.
- Open Sigmoid Colectomy:
- After Surgery:
- ICU monitoring for 1–2 days manages pain, fluids, and bowel function.
- Hospital stay: 5–10 days (open), 3–7 days (laparoscopic/robotic).
- Pathology reports guide adjuvant therapy (e.g., chemotherapy for cancer).
- Stoma care training is provided if applicable.
Recovery After Sigmoid Colectomy
- Hospital Stay: 5–10 days (open), 3–7 days (laparoscopic/robotic).
- Post-Surgery Care:
- Pain managed with medications (epidural, opioids, then NSAIDs).
- IV fluids and gradual oral intake resume within 3–5 days.
- Stoma care training for temporary colostomy/ileostomy, if created.
- Activity/Diet:
- Light walking in 1–2 days; strenuous activities avoided for 6–8 weeks (open) or 4–6 weeks (laparoscopic).
- Low-residue diet initially, progressing to high-fiber; 2–3 liters water daily.
- Follow-Up:
- Visits at 1–2 weeks, 4–6 weeks; cancer patients need CEA/CT every 3–6 months for 5 years.
- Stoma reversal (if applicable) after 3–6 months if anastomosis heals.
Most resume normal activities in 4–8 weeks. Cancer survival: 70–90% (stage I–II), 50–70% (stage III). Bowel function normalizes over 3–6 months, though some experience frequency or diarrhea initially.
Risks and Complications
- Surgical Risks: Bleeding, infection, anastomotic leak (5–10%), requiring reoperation or antibiotics.
- Stoma Issues: Prolapse, retraction, or hernia (if created).
- General Risks: Anesthesia reactions, blood clots, adhesions causing obstruction.
- Long-Term: Cancer recurrence (5–15%), bowel dysfunction (urgency, frequency), sexual/urinary issues (nerve injury, 2–5%).
Report fever, severe pain, or no bowel output promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What causes the need for sigmoid colectomy?
Sigmoid cancer, diverticulitis, volvulus, or severe IBD.
Will I need a stoma?
Temporary stoma in 20–30% of cases (e.g., emergencies, high-risk anastomosis); permanent stoma is rare.
Can it be done laparoscopically?
Yes, for elective cases, with faster recovery.
How soon can I resume activities?
4–6 weeks (laparoscopic), 6–8 weeks (open).
Is it covered by insurance in India?
Yes, for cancer, diverticulitis, or emergencies; confirm with your provider.
Signs of complications?
Fever, severe pain, no bowel movements, or stoma issues.
Will I have normal bowel function?
Most regain normal function in 3–6 months; some experience temporary frequency or diarrhea.
Lifestyle changes post-surgery?
High-fiber diet, hydration, avoid straining, regular follow-ups for cancer/IBD.
Conclusion
Sigmoid colectomy effectively treats sigmoid colon conditions, restoring bowel function with minimal long-term impact. India’s top hospitals (Apollo, Fortis, AIIMS) offer affordable, high-quality care. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs helps patients approach sigmoid colectomy confidently. Consult a colorectal surgeon for personalized guidance and successful treatment.
Looking for Best Hospitals for sigmoid colectomy
Note: we are not promoting any hospitals
we are not promoting any hospitals we sourced all the details from google and hospitals website, please verify and start with your surgery here we go the list includes government, budget and superspeciality hospitals accreditation bodies are the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) and the Joint Commission International (JCI)
- click on your city and schedule your surgery now done in good hands.
| City | Minimum Price (₹) | Maximum Price (₹) |
|---|---|---|
Agra |
2,00,000 |
5,00,000 |
Ahmedabad |
2,50,000 |
5,50,000 |
Ajmer |
2,00,000 |
5,00,000 |
Aligarh |
2,00,000 |
5,00,000 |
Allahabad |
2,00,000 |
5,00,000 |
Amritsar |
2,25,000 |
5,25,000 |
Aurangabad |
2,25,000 |
5,25,000 |
Bangalore |
2,50,000 |
5,50,000 |
Bareilly |
2,00,000 |
5,00,000 |
Belgaum |
2,25,000 |
5,25,000 |
Bhopal |
2,25,000 |
5,25,000 |
Bhubaneswar |
2,25,000 |
5,25,000 |
Bikaner |
2,00,000 |
5,00,000 |
Chandigarh |
2,50,000 |
5,50,000 |
Chennai |
2,50,000 |
5,50,000 |
Coimbatore |
2,50,000 |
5,50,000 |
Dehradun |
2,25,000 |
5,25,000 |
Delhi |
2,50,000 |
5,50,000 |
Dhanbad |
2,00,000 |
5,00,000 |
Durgapur |
2,00,000 |
5,00,000 |
Faridabad |
2,50,000 |
5,50,000 |
Ghaziabad |
2,50,000 |
5,50,000 |
Gorakhpur |
2,00,000 |
5,00,000 |
Guntur |
2,25,000 |
5,25,000 |
Gurgaon |
2,50,000 |
5,50,000 |
Guwahati |
2,25,000 |
5,25,000 |
Gwalior |
2,00,000 |
5,00,000 |
Hyderabad |
2,50,000 |
5,50,000 |
Indore |
2,25,000 |
5,25,000 |
Jabalpur |
2,00,000 |
5,00,000 |
Jaipur |
2,50,000 |
5,50,000 |
Jalandhar |
2,25,000 |
5,25,000 |
Jamshedpur |
2,25,000 |
5,25,000 |
Jodhpur |
2,00,000 |
5,00,000 |
Kanpur |
2,00,000 |
5,00,000 |
Kochi |
2,50,000 |
5,50,000 |
Kolkata |
2,50,000 |
5,50,000 |
Kollam |
2,25,000 |
5,25,000 |
Lucknow |
2,25,000 |
5,25,000 |
Ludhiana |
2,50,000 |
5,50,000 |
Madurai |
2,25,000 |
5,25,000 |
Mangalore |
2,25,000 |
5,25,000 |
Meerut |
2,00,000 |
5,00,000 |
Moradabad |
2,00,000 |
5,00,000 |
Mumbai |
2,50,000 |
5,50,000 |
Mysore |
2,50,000 |
5,50,000 |
Nagpur |
2,25,000 |
5,25,000 |
Nashik |
2,25,000 |
5,25,000 |
Navi Mumbai |
2,50,000 |
5,50,000 |
Noida |
2,50,000 |
5,50,000 |
Patna |
2,00,000 |
5,00,000 |
Pune |
2,50,000 |
5,50,000 |
Raipur |
2,25,000 |
5,25,000 |
Rajkot |
2,25,000 |
5,25,000 |
Ranchi |
2,00,000 |
5,00,000 |
Surat |
2,50,000 |
5,50,000 |
Thane |
2,50,000 |
5,50,000 |
Vadodara |
2,25,000 |
5,25,000 |
Varanasi |
2,00,000 |
5,00,000 |
Visakhapatnam |
2,25,000 |
5,25,000 |
Disclaimer
This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.