Therapeutic or Preventive Procedure
colectomy Audio
co·lec·to·my [ kuh-lek-tuh-mee ]
Subclass of:
Digestive System Surgical Procedures
Etymology:
Greek kolon = the large bowel + ektome = excision
Definitions related to colectomy:
  • An operation to remove all or part of the colon. When only part of the colon is removed, it is called a partial colectomy. In an open colectomy, one long incision is made in the wall of the abdomen and doctors can see the colon directly. In a laparoscopic-assisted colectomy, several small incisions are made and a thin, lighted tube attached to a video camera is inserted through one opening to guide the surgery. Surgical instruments are inserted through the other openings to perform the surgery.
    NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • Surgical removal of part or all of the colon.
    NCI Thesaurus
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • Surgical resection of a portion of or the entire colon.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
  • Colectomy is a surgical procedure to remove all or part of your colon. Your colon, also called your large intestine, is a long tubelike organ at the end of your digestive tract. Colectomy may be necessary to treat or prevent diseases and conditions that affect your colon.
    Mayo Clinic
    Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
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This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.