Bowel resection for redundant colon

Posted by yintwin @yintwin, Apr 1, 2023

Has anyone had a bowel resection for redundant colon? What was your experience? I have a very problematic and profoundly redundant, torturous transverse colon. Over the last thirty years I've been hospitalized more times than I can recount for ulcerative colitis and diverticulitis, and I was recently hospitalized for a large volvulus. We have (repeatedly) exhausted every conservative measure* to address my debilitating symptoms of frequent (more than once a week) moderate to severe abdominal pain, frequent loose stools each day, distention, and recurring stool retention in the redundant transverse colon. Removal of the redundancy seems appropriate. Has anyone had experience with surgical removal of redundant colon?
* high fiber diet, fodmap diet, SBO probiotics, periodic ducolax plus Mira lax colon cleanses, daily osmotic laxative plus citrucel caplets, daily bentyl

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judithclark | @judithclark | Nov 12, 2023

I am in the same position. I have had two obstructions with NG tube in the past few months. I take stool softener and MiraLax daily. That is just so I can spit out a little diarrhea. I also have a mobile cecum. My GI doc says I always have a partial obstruction. I am mostly on a liquid diet.
The other issue is I have two incisional hernia meshes. Surgeons don’t like to work around the meshes. I live in Reno and multiple doctors and surgeons here say they don’t have the expertise to perform the surgery needed. The colorectal surgeon at Stanford says surgery will only make things worse. I understand this but wonder also if it is important to carry out my normal bodily functions. I am always monitoring my gas passage and what I eat. My insurance carrier and local doctors are working on a referral and authorization to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

brianne613 | @brianne613 | Nov 11, 2023

I was recently hospitalized for a sigmoid volvulus. They got it under control and I left the hospital without the recommended resection of the redundant sigmoid. Did you end up getting the surgery? I am seeing another surgeon in 2 weeks for a second opinion. I have been told that leaving the volvulus untreated is very dangerous. It has caused a blockage for me twice now. The first episode was 6 years prior. If you should read this... Thank you.