Dr. Arielle Kanters, MD is a colon and rectal surgeon in Cleveland, OH specializing in colon & rectal surgery. Dr. Arielle Kanters, MD is affiliated with Cleveland Clinic and Cleveland Clinic Main Campus.
9500 Euclid Avenue Mail Code A30
Cleveland, OH 44195
Colectomy (Colon Resection)
Colectomy is surgery to remove all or part of the colon, or the longest part of the large intestine. The colon may be affected by diseases such as cancer or inflammatory bowel disease. In a colectomy, all or part of the colon that is infected, blocked, or cancerous is removed.
A colectomy may be performed by laparoscopic or open surgery. A laparoscopic colectomy requires several small cuts on the abdomen, and uses a thin tube with a camera, called a laparoscope. Laparoscopic colectomies are less invasive than open procedures. For some individuals, a laparoscopic colectomy may not be possible, and instead an open colectomy is performed. In an open colectomy, a large incision is made on the abdomen. Open colectomies typically require longer recovery periods.
After the incisions are made, a portion of the colon is removed, and the remaining ends of the colon are attached to each other in a procedure called anastomosis. Waste can continue to travel through the body as normal. However, in some situations, it may be necessary for the end of the colon to be attached to an opening in the abdomen, called a stoma. This procedure is called an ostomy. Types of ostomies include:
An ostomy bag will be attached to the skin to collect waste. If the entire colon is removed, either an ileostomy is performed, or the small intestine is connected to the anus and waste may pass through as normal.
Stomas may be permanent or temporary. If the stoma is temporary, the ends of the colon will be rejoined in a later procedure. Temporary stomas are generally used to allow time for the colon to heal following surgery.
A colectomy may take between one and four hours. Following the procedure, patients will need to consume a liquid and low fiber diet before gradually returning to their normal diet. Patients will need to stay in the hospital for three to seven days for monitoring. Full recovery and return to normal activity may take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy is the use of a special tool called a colonoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end) to examine the inside of the colon and rectum. The tube is typically inserted anally, and it allows the physician to examine the large intestine from the inside. It may be done at any time to diagnose bowel problems, but routine colonoscopies are advised after the age of 50 to screen for colon cancer.
A colonoscopy may be performed to diagnose:
Patients may be asked to drink only liquids in the days before a colonoscopy, or they may be given an enema to remove residual fecal matter. Before the exam, patients are given medication to help them relax, and then lay on their side on a table. The scope is inserted into the anus and gently moved all the way through the large intestine. Air may be pumped into the intestine to improve the view for the physician. Any polyps that are found will be removed. Then the colonoscope will be withdrawn. A colonoscopy is not usually painful, but patients may feel some bloating or have some cramps right afterward. If patients have polyps removed, they might experience a small amount of bleeding. Any side effects should go away within a few hours.
Laparoscopic Surgery
Laparoscopic surgery is a kind of minimally invasive surgery using a thin, narrow tube called a laparoscope. Usually performed on the abdomen or the pelvic region, the surgeon makes a few very small incisions instead of one large one.
During the procedure, the surgeon inserts the laparoscope, which contains a light and camera that allows the surgeon to see what is happening inside the body. Then tiny tools are placed through the small openings and used to perform the surgery.
The most common laparoscopic surgery is gallbladder removal, but laparoscopic surgery may also be used for the removal of a kidney or appendix, to treat certain cysts and tumors, for bariatric surgery, for some GERD treatments, or for hernia repairs, among others.
Because laparoscopic surgery only uses a few tiny incisions, the scars are minimal and recovery is easier than with open surgery.
She completed residency at University of Michigan Affiliated Hospitals. She is certified by the Colon and Rectal Surgery and has a state license in Ohio.
Residency: University of Michigan Affiliated Hospitals (2020)
Board Certification: Colon and Rectal Surgery
Licensed In: Ohio
Dr. Arielle Kanters, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Arielle Kanters, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.98 out of 5 stars based on 84 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Arielle Kanters, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Cleveland, OH.
Dr. Arielle Kanters, who practices in Cleveland, OH, is a medical specialist in colon & rectal surgery. The average patient rating for Dr. Kanters is 5.0 stars (out of 5). Her areas of expertise include pain, second opinions, and anoscopy. Dr. Kanters trained at a hospital affiliated with the University of Michigan for her residency. She is affiliated with Cleveland Clinic Main Campus.