Successful laparoscopic rectal resection and reanastomosis surgery for a nearly 90-year-old man

Patient N.D.T, 87 years old, address Do Luong, Nghe An, had bloody stools for nearly a month now, had been treated in many places without improvement, was taken to the emergency room by his family, and was admitted to Cua Dong General Hospital for treatment. After examination and necessary paraclinical tests, the patient was diagnosed with high rectal cancer, and surgery was indicated.

Doctors of the Department of Surgery of Cua Dong General Hospital consulted with related specialties and decided to perform laparoscopic surgery to resect the rectum, remove lymph nodes, and connect a machine to restore digestive circulation for patient T.

The team of doctors from the Department of Surgery, Cua Dong General Hospital directly performed surgery on the patient. Photo: Cung Nguyen

Master, Doctor CK II Thai Doan Cong - Head of Surgery Department, who directly performed the surgery, said: Previously, patients who had colon or rectal surgery often had to undergo open surgery, or could not undergo surgery due to old age, heavy blood loss, and slow recovery, but now with the advances of Laparoscopic Surgery and Anesthesia and Resuscitation, the elderly can still undergo surgery simply. The advantages of laparoscopic surgery are minimally invasive surgery, quick recovery, and short hospital stay.

The advantages of laparoscopic surgery are minimally invasiveness, quick recovery, and short hospital stay. Photo: Cung Nguyen

Pathology specimen after surgery. Photo: Cung Nguyen

During surgery, doctors use an ultrasonic knife to cut and stop bleeding, while connecting the digestive tract with an automatic sewing machine, thus minimizing blood loss for the patient and saving surgery time.

The surgery was successful after more than 2 hours of surgery. After 24 hours, the patient was given a light meal, could sit up and do light exercise. It is expected that after about 6-7 days after surgery, the patient can be discharged from the hospital.

The patient's health is stable and he is recovering quickly after surgery. Photo: Cung Nguyen

Laparoscopic surgery has many advantages over open surgery, however, this is a difficult technique, requiring the surgeon to have experience and supporting equipment. Currently, the General Surgery Department - Cua Dong General Hospital focuses on investing in modern, synchronous medical equipment along with a team of doctors,Highly qualified and experienced technicians, in addition to laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer, the Department of General Surgery also routinely performs other laparoscopic surgical techniques such as: gastrectomy, appendectomy, liver cyst tip resection, cholecystectomy, gastric perforation suturing, inguinal hernia repair, hysterectomy, ovarian cyst removal, thyroidectomy, urinary stones, laparoscopic nephrectomy, etc.