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All seven Medical Spheres ›Complicated or recurrent diverticulitis – inflammation of small pouches in the bowel wall – or a tumour in the colon can make surgery necessary. The diseased section is removed, often using minimally invasive techniques.
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Approximate figures that vary with the procedure. Your own course is discussed at the preliminary consultation.
Diverticulitis and bowel cancer
Diverticula are small pouches in the bowel wall that become more common with age. They are usually found in the sigmoid colon, the S-shaped last section of the colon in the lower left abdomen. Many people have them without noticing. If they become inflamed, diverticulitis develops, with pain in the lower left abdomen, often with fever and changes in bowel habits.
An uncomplicated flare-up usually settles without surgery. Surgery is mainly performed in the case of complications – abscesses, fistulas, narrowing or a perforation. If the inflammation keeps coming back, the current guideline says that what counts is not the number of flare-ups but how much symptoms and quality of life are affected. Patients weigh this up together with their doctors.
Bowel cancer usually develops over years from polyps that are initially benign. Small polyps and some very early tumours can be removed during a colonoscopy. If that is not enough, the affected section is removed surgically together with the associated lymph nodes and blood vessels.
Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease can also make surgery necessary, for example if narrowing or fistulas develop. Whether, when and how surgery is performed always depends on the findings, the patient’s general health and their wishes.
The operation
Only the diseased part is removed – with diverticulitis, usually the sigmoid colon. As a rule, the healthy ends are then joined together so that the bowel remains continuous.
Small openings for the camera and instruments are often sufficient, plus a short incision through which the section is removed. With large findings or extensive adhesions, an open abdominal incision is safer.
The removed tissue is examined in the laboratory. This makes it possible to classify exactly what was removed and to plan further treatment.
The path
Planned bowel operations need preparation: with diverticulitis, ideally in a calm phase without acute inflammation; with a tumour, after a complete examination.
Colonoscopy and cross-sectional imaging, such as computed tomography, show the location and extent of the findings. A suspicious area can be marked during the colonoscopy so that the surgical team can find it again later.
Surgery and gastroenterology – and oncology in the case of cancer – agree on the procedure and the order of the steps. The consent discussion covers the procedure, risks and alternatives.
Pre-existing conditions and medication are reviewed, the anaesthetic is discussed and, before some procedures, the bowel is cleansed the day before. Whether follow-up rehabilitation – rehab – makes sense afterwards is already clarified at this stage.
Under general anaesthesia, often as keyhole surgery. This is followed by the recovery room and the ward and, after major procedures, monitoring in the intensive care unit if needed.
Getting up early, drinking soon and eating light meals: this can support recovery. Pain is managed with a coordinated therapy and, after major procedures, also with a pump that patients operate themselves.
After discharge, a few weeks of rest without heavy lifting follow. After cancer surgery, there may be further treatment depending on the findings, plus check-ups scheduled over several years.
Insurance
Statutory health insurance
If the operation is medically indicated – for a tumour, for complications or for recurrent inflammation with severe symptoms – it is covered by German statutory health insurance, including the inpatient stay at Bürgerspital Wertheim.
Follow-up rehabilitation is discussed before the operation; the hospital takes care of the application.
Private insurance or self-pay
Private insurers reimburse medically necessary operations within the terms of their policies. For privately insured and self-pay patients, there is also the Main-Tauber-Klinik, a private clinic in the same building.
Optional services such as a more comfortable room can be arranged in addition. Patients having surgery without insurance agree the costs with the clinic in advance.
Specialists
Bowel operations are performed by specialists in general, visceral and vascular surgery; bowel surgery is one of this department’s main areas of focus.
Locations
Each clinic shows on its own website how the treatment works there.
Germany
One address, with gastroenterology and intensive care: surgery covered by statutory insurance takes place at the Bürgerspital; private patients can also have surgery at the Main-Tauber-Klinik.
Frequently asked questions
No. Many cases of inflammation heal without surgery. Surgery is recommended mainly for complications and for frequently recurring flare-ups that noticeably restrict everyday life.
That is possible, but less common. Diverticula can also be present in other sections of the bowel, and not all of them can be removed.
Usually five to ten days, depending on the procedure, the healing process and any other conditions. Light meals are often possible as early as the day after the operation.
At first, stools are often softer and more frequent, especially if a longer section of the colon has been removed. The body usually adapts to the new situation within a few weeks.
Possible risks include bleeding, infections in the abdomen or at the wound, and thrombosis. Rarely, the join between the ends of the bowel does not heal tightly; this requires further treatment, sometimes another operation. Later, adhesions or an incisional hernia can occur.
They show whether the tumour has been completely removed and whether lymph nodes are affected. This determines whether additional chemotherapy is recommended; the treatment team discusses the results in detail.
Walking is encouraged while you are still in hospital. Heavy loads and sport should wait about four to six weeks; when you can return to work depends on the procedure and your job.
As a rule, yes: a medically indicated operation – for bowel cancer as well as for diverticulitis with complications or frequent flare-ups – is covered by statutory health insurance and takes place at Bürgerspital Wertheim. For privately insured patients, their policy applies.
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CGCE GroupVerified
5,888 reviews on ProvenExpert
This was the best decision I have ever taken for myself. The whole experience has changed my life for the better. From the first consultation I felt welcomed and treated very well. I did not feel alone during the journey because the team were just a WhatsApp away and they made regular check-ups on me. Thank you for everyone at the hospital from the staff to the doctors, you are all amazing.
Weight Doctors South AfricaWow, was für ein erster Eindruck! Dr. Frank Gruner, dessen Professionalität von jahrelanger Erfahrung zeugt, war äußerst verständlich und menschlich (was mir sehr wichtig war). Er verstand meine Bedürfnisse, und seine Erklärungen und Anweisungen entsprachen genau meinen Vorstellungen. Die Patientenberaterin Jennifer war mit ihrem Charme ebenfalls eine große Hilfe und erklärte mir alles Notwendige und den weiteren Ablauf. Auch die Mitarbeiter am Empfang waren sehr höflich und freundlich. Ich melde mich nach der Operation mit meinen Eindrücken zurück. Vielen Dank an alle!
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in GermanIch habe eine Unterlidstraffung machen lassen und bin mit dem Ergebnis sehr zufrieden. Mein Dank geht vor allem an Frau Dr. Simidjiiska für ihre Fürsorge, Kompetenz und Empathie. Aber auch das gesamte Team der Klinik macht einen hervorragenden Job!
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in GermanIch bin rundum begeistert von meiner Erfahrung in dieser Haartransplantationsklinik. Von der ersten Kontaktaufnahme bis zur Nachsorge war alles hervorragend organisiert und professionell. Das gesamte Team war unglaublich freundlich, hilfsbereit und zuvorkommend. Man hat sich jederzeit gut aufgehoben und ernst genommen gefühlt. Besonders positiv fand ich, dass sich alle Mitarbeiter ausreichend Zeit genommen haben, um meine Fragen zu beantworten und jeden Schritt verständlich zu erklären. Auch der Service war erstklassig. Die Organisation, die Betreuung vor und nach dem Eingriff sowie die Kommunikation waren wirklich hervorragend. Das gesamte Team hat einen sehr kompetenten und gleichzeitig menschlichen Eindruck gemacht. Die Klinik selbst ist modern, sauber und sehr gut ausgestattet. Während der Behandlung wurde äußerst sorgfältig und professionell gearbeitet, und ich hatte zu jedem Zeitpunkt das Gefühl, in guten Händen zu sein. Ein großes Dankeschön an das gesamte Team für die tolle Betreuung und den freundlichen Umgang! Ich kann die Klinik absolut weiterempfehlen und bin mit meiner bisherigen Erfahrung sehr zufrieden. Wer Wert auf Professionalität, Qualität und einen hervorragenden Service legt, ist hier meiner Meinung nach bestens aufgehoben.
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in GermanBisher war es nur ein Beratungsgespräch aber es war sehr gut.
Weight Doctors Group · Original in GermanIch fand, dass der Arzt gut und verständlich erklärt hat. Ich habe diese Woche noch einen Termin in einer anderen Klinik, da ich mich gründlich informieren möchte; auch der Preis wird dabei eine Rolle spielen – darüber bin ich ganz offen.
QUOLE Medisch Centrum · Original in GermanHervorragende Behandlung. Von der ersten Beratung bis zur Nachsorge hat mir Dr. Koch stets ein sehr gutes Gefühl vermittelt. Ich litt jahrelang unter einer echten Gynäkomastie, nach der OP kann sich das Ergebnis sehen lassen, mein Selbstbewusstsein ist endlich zurückgekehrt. Ich kann die Alster Klinik jedem empfehlen, der schon lange mit dem Gedanken spielt sich operieren zu lassen.
Alster-Klinik Hamburg · Original in GermanDr. Schubert gab mir das Gefühl, in genau der richtigen Praxis zu sein für mein Anliegen. Ich habe mich beim Beratungsgespräch sehr wohl gefühlt und verstanden gefühlt.
Alster-Klinik Hamburg · Original in GermanÜber die ehrliche Einschätzung
Alster-Klinik Hamburg · Original in GermanIch habe mich sehr wohl geführt, das Gespräch war sehr gut, die Ärztin hat mir sehr ausführlich alles erklärt und bin mit einem sehr guten Gefühl nach Hause gegangen.
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in GermanIch bin eine sehr ängstliche Person. Bei Herrn Dr. Neis habe ich mich sofort wohlgefühlt. Behandlungsgespräche, Umgang, Freundlichkeit – es passt alles. Ich kann ihn ohne Bedenken und Einschränkung nur weiter empfehlen. Dankeschön Herr Dr. Neis für die tolle Arbeit.
CGCE Group · Original in GermanDr. Klarner ist sehr nett, hat mich sehr gut beraten und aufgeklärt. Ich hab mich gut aufgehoben gefühlt, vielen Dank!
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