Etymed
colectomy
Definition
surgical removal of all or part of the colon
Clinical context
A 65-year-old patient presents with severe diverticulitis that has failed conservative management. Despite multiple courses of antibiotics and bowel rest, the patient continues to experience recurrent episodes of abdominal pain and fever. After discussing treatment options, the patient undergoes a colectomy with primary anastomosis. Pathology confirms chronic diverticulitis with areas of transmural inflammation and fibrosis.
Mnemonic
COLECtomy = COLon removal, like a COLE-ction of waste