laparoscopic-assisted colectomy

[LAP-uh-ruh-SCOP-ik]
Surgery done with the aid of a laparoscope (a thin, lighted tube) to remove all or part of the colon through several small incisions made in the wall of the abdomen. A laparoscope attached to a video camera is inserted through one opening to guide the surgery. Surgical instruments are inserted through the other openings to perform the surgery. When only part of the colon is removed, it is called a partial colectomy.