Colon Resection- The large intestine, or colon, is the lower part of the digestive tract. Diseases of the colon are common, and more than one-half million surgical procedures are performed in the United States every year to treat them.

Indications for colon resections include:

• Colon cancer
  
• Diverticular disease
  
• Gastrointestinal bleeding

During a colon resection, the diseased part of the bowel is removed and the two healthy sections of the colon are reattached. This is called an end-to-end anastomosis. If an anastomosis is not possible because of the extent of the disease or its location, the surgeon creates a colostomy. A temporary colostomy is made when the colon needs longer to heal after surgery and the anastomosis is performed later.