Minimally invasive colon surgery has been shown to be as effective as open surgery, while offering many benefits over the open procedure. These benefits include:

• Shorter hospital stay

• Less pain

• Less scarring

• Quicker recovery time⁸

*Data gathered at three years post-surgery

During minimally invasive colon surgery, or “laparoscopic,” colon surgery, the surgeon makes a series of small incisions, typically a quarter of an inch to four inches, in the abdomen. A small video camera, or “scope,” is placed in one of the incisions, providing the surgeon with a magnified view of the internal organs on a television monitor. Surgical instruments are placed in the other incisions, allowing the surgeon to work inside and remove portions of the diseased colon. This surgical technique can be used to treat colon cancer and other diseases of the colon, such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and diverticulitis.

If you’re considering minimally invasive colon surgery for colon disease, you should consult a surgeon experienced in minimally invasive colon surgery techniques who has performed at least 20 colon resections using minimally invasive colon surgery.⁸

To understand the benefits of minimally invasive colon surgery compared to open surgery for colon disease, see the diagrams below comparing open surgery with minimally invasive colon surgery for colon disease.

The diagrams below show incision comparisons between open surgery and minimally invasive colon surgery.

skin incision: 6-12 inches

skin incision: 3-4 inches

Factors that could prevent a patient from undergoing minimally invasive colon surgery for colon disease include obesity, prior abdominal surgery, dense scar tissue, bleeding problems during the procedure, and/or the surgeon's inability to visualize the organs.⁸

Click here to watch the video.

Find out about the experiences of other people with colon disease, why they chose minimally invasive colon surgery, and how it worked for them. Read about minimally invasive colon surgery success stories. 

Minimally invasive colon surgery for colon disease has been studied by surgeons and other healthcare professionals to see if it offers benefits over traditional open surgery. Take a minute and find out what the experts’ views are on minimally invasive colon surgery for colon disease.

Download, print out, and read brochures on minimally invasive colon surgery and colon diseases to help you and those you love understand your diagnosis and options for therapy.

If you’re considering minimally invasive colon surgery for colon disease, you should consult a surgeon experienced in minimally invasive colon surgery techniques who has performed at least 20 minimally invasive colon surgeries for colon disease.⁸ Locate a surgeon in your area who has training and experience in minimally invasive colon surgery for colon disease. Use this page to find a surgeon. 

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks that accompany both open surgery and minimally invasive colon surgery for the treatment of colon disease. Find out more about the risks and complications of both types of surgery for colon disease.

While finding a surgeon trained in minimally invasive colon surgery is important, finding the right surgeon for you is even more important. To help you determine a surgeon’s qualifications for minimally invasive colon surgery, use this list of questions to ask your surgeon.