How To Benefit From Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery is now considered the foundation of colorectal surgery because of the reduced invasiveness and post-operative complications promised by the laparoscope. Instead of cutting you open, the surgeon can now operate by way of inserting a flexible tube into the abdomen tipped with a fiber-optic device and linked to a TV or video monitor.

As a patient you may be recommended to undergo a laparoscopic colorectal surgery to bypass an upper colon obstruction, prevent colon infections, to manage excessive colorectal secretions, or for a resection operation associated with colon cancer.

Prior to the laparoscopic colorectal surgical procedure, patients must sign a consent form, which is generally supplied by the health care agency. This requirement protects the patients from having any surgical procedure they do not want or do not understand. It also protects the hospital and the health care professionals from claims by the patient or family that permission was not granted. The consent then becomes a part of the patient’s record and goes to the operating room with him during the laparoscopic colorectal surgery procedure.

One major activity to ensure that the patient is prepared for the laparoscopic colorectal procedure is preoperative teaching. This means that the patient has to be educated regarding it. And this does not apply only to those who have to undergo colon cancer screening or colon cancer treatment but to all who are abut to undergo any type of surgery. Studies have shown that preoperative teaching reduces the patients’ anxiety and postoperative complications and increases their satisfaction with the surgical experience. Good preoperative teaching also facilitates the patient’s return to work and other activities of daily living.

Preoperative preparation includes the following areas: nutrition and fluids, elimination, hygiene, medications, rest, care of valuables and prostheses, special orders, and laparoscopic colorectal surgical preparation. In many health care agencies a preoperative checklist is used on the day of surgery.

Nursing during the postoperative phase is especially important for the patient’s recovery. Anesthesia impairs the ability of the patients to respond to environmental stimuli and to help them, although the degree of consciousness of the patients will vary. Moreover, the laparoscopic colorectal surgery itself traumatizes the body by disrupting protective mechanisms and homeostasis.
Once the health status of the patient has stabilized, he could then be returned to the nursing unit. He could be discharged from the postoperative care unit when:

  • he is already conscious and oriented;
  • he is able to maintain a clear airway and deep breathe freely;
  • his vital signs have been stable or consistent with preoperative vital signs for at least 30 minutes;
  • his protective reflexes are already active;
  • he is able to move his four extremities;
  • his intake and urinary output is adequate (at least 30 mL/hr);
  • his febrile condition has been attended to; and
  • his dressings are dry and intact and there is no overt drainage.

Whatever the reason for laparoscopic colorectal surgery, the client should be provided standardized care in accord with laparoscopic colorectal surgery management. Care of the patient with colon cancer or other disease is the keystone of laparoscopic colorectal surgery. This care can be in the acute care setting, in the home, in outpatient settings, or in the community. The care provided is holistic and is rooted in health promotion, disease prevention, health restoration, and health maintenance.

Colon Cancer