Colectomy

Colectomy
Micrograph of pseudomembranous colitis, an indication for colectomy, H&E stain
ICD-9-CM	45.8, 45.73
MeSH	D003082
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Colectomy (col- + -ectomy) is bowel resection of the large bowel (sometimes referred to as the colon which more precisely denotes a part of the large bowel). It consists of the surgical removal of any extent of the colon, usually segmental resection (partial colectomy). In extreme cases where the entire large intestine is removed, it is called total colectomy, and proctocolectomy (procto- + colectomy) denotes that the rectum is included.