The Preoperative and Postoperative Colon: What the Radiologist Needs to Know

Abstract

Colon surgery may be performed for a broad range of benign and malignant causes, mainly carcinoma, diverticular disease, and inflammatory bowel disease. Given a plethora of colon surgical techniques, resultant aberrant anatomy, and postoperative complications, interpreting examinations of the postoperative colon can be a challenging endeavor. The colon surgical technique used most often is dependent upon the underlying lesion, the patient's hemodynamic status, and the surgeon's preference. Colon surgical techniques are diverse and include abdominoperineal resection, anterior resection, restorative proctocolectomy, and segmental resection.