Your health care team may recommend surgery to treat conditions affecting your lower gastrointestinal tract, including diverticulosis and rectal cancer. Your doctor may also perform diagnostic tests like colonoscopies and sigmoidoscopies.
Colorectal surgeons undergo five years of general surgical residency and one additional year of specialty training to become experts in surgery involving the colon, rectum and anus. Visit https://www.drwesleyhigh.com/ to learn more.
Generally speaking, a doctor refers patients to a colorectal surgeon when there is a medical condition that needs surgical treatment. This may include hemorrhoids, anal fistulas (tunnels that develop between the inside of the colon or anus and the outside skin around these areas), rectum or anus prolapse, pelvic floor disorders such as diverticulitis, and many other issues affecting the bowel, colon, anus, perianal area, and rectum.
A colorectal surgeon specializes in conditions that affect these parts of the body, which is why they are sometimes known as “colon and rectal specialists.” They undergo 5 years of surgical residency after graduating from medical school where they learn about all sorts of surgeries including gallbladder surgery, hernias, breast surgery and vascular surgery. Then, they go through an extra year of training in the field of colon and rectal surgery.
This is where they gain in-depth knowledge on the anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract, and the way that it works together as a whole. They also learn about the different types of cancers and how to treat them. And, of course, how to diagnose and treat inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Because a colorectal surgeon is more specialized than a general surgeon they are able to provide better care for a wide range of patients. They have the training to perform more complex surgeries such as colectomies and abdominoperineal resections. They can also offer less invasive options such as laparoscopic or robotic surgery.
During this type of surgery, your surgeon inserts instruments through small incisions using a camera and small tools. This reduces recovery time compared to traditional open surgery. In many cases, if your colon cancer is in the lower portion of your colon, they can remove it completely without having to reattach the bowel. They can also perform sphincter sparing surgery or total mesorectal excision for low rectal cancer, both of which are less invasive than a colostomy.
A colon and rectal specialist can also treat a number of other ailments, including perianal abscesses (a lump that contains pus), anal fistulas, hernias, and other structural defects such as a rectum hernia. They can also treat polyps and benign or malignant colon and rectal tumors.
Abdominal Surgery
The large intestine is the last part of the food journey through the digestive tract before it exits your body. The abdomen is home to many vital organs and tissues. A surgeon can perform a variety of abdominal surgeries using incisions. Some of the most common include the following:
You may be referred to a colorectal surgeon for a variety of reasons. The most common reason is to treat a medical condition that affects your colon or rectum. Your doctor will perform a physical exam and perform other diagnostic tests to diagnose your condition. This might include a blood test, an electrocardiogram (EKG), and a pelvic ultrasound.
A colorectal surgeon has specialized training in the surgical care of conditions related to the small intestine, colon, anus and rectum. They can also perform other procedures that are less invasive, such as sigmoidoscopy and virtual colonoscopy.
These types of diagnostic tools allow the doctor to examine the insides of the bowel, and check for polyps or other abnormalities. The doctor can then recommend a treatment plan.
Abdominal surgery is often done in larger medical centers that specialize in these types of procedures. This helps to ensure that the proper equipment and surgeons are available for your procedure. This will improve your chances of a successful surgery and a quick recovery.
After a colon or rectal operation, you will need to take it easy for a while. This means avoiding strenuous activities, especially ones that make your stomach ache. It is also important to drink plenty of fluids, and to get enough rest. A good night’s sleep is essential to the healing process.
You will probably need to take medication that prevents blood clots from forming. These medicines might include over-the-counter medications, like aspirin and ibuprofen. Be sure to take the right medicine at the correct time, and follow the instructions given by your surgeon.
Your doctor can help you find a colorectal specialist near you by asking your primary care doctor or referring you to the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons website.
Anorectal Surgery
In addition to abdominal surgeries, colorectal surgeons also perform anorectal surgery, which involves the colon and anus. They are able to diagnose and treat conditions that affect the lower colon, rectum and anus, such as inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulosis, hernias, hemorrhoids and rectal prolapse. They often perform diagnostic tests such as ultrasound, colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy to determine what is causing symptoms.
During a residency, colorectal surgeons undergo extensive training in anorectal physiologic examination and surgical skills, which helps them provide patients with comprehensive care. Depending on what part of the colon or anus needs treatment, they may use different types of surgical methods to manage the condition.
For example, if a patient has cancer that has spread to the mesorectum (the sheet of tissue around the intestine, bowel and anus), it can be treated by cutting out the affected area with a surgical procedure called total mesorectal excision. A specialist doctor then checks the tissue removed for cancer cells and removes any that are found. This reduces the risk of the cancer returning.
Other procedures that a colorectal surgeon can perform include anal fistulas and abscesses, hemorrhoids, anal prolapse and anal varicosities. Some of these conditions can be managed by dietary and lifestyle changes, but some require surgery to treat severe infections, complications or persistent symptoms.
A colorectal surgeon can also remove polyps from the rectum or anus, or surgically reconstruct a diverticulosis-prone area of the colon. For example, a J-pouch surgery can be performed if there are repeated episodes of diverticulitis. This involves removing the diverticula and creating an opening in the abdomen that allows waste to pass into a bag outside the body, which can be reversed later if needed.
While colorectal surgeons can perform a wide range of treatments, they usually use minimally invasive techniques to minimize the risk of infection and recovery time for their patients. During these procedures, they make small incisions in the abdomen to insert a long thin lighted tube with a camera (laparoscope) to locate the affected area and guide surgery. Typically, this type of surgery requires a short hospital stay.
Pain Management
Colorectal Surgeons treat a range of conditions related to the colon and rectum, including colorectal cancer, polyps, diverticulitis, and inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. They can perform these surgeries using traditional open methods or with minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques, which reduce postoperative pain, leave smaller scars, and shorten hospital stays.
During your consultation, the surgeon will review your symptoms and medical history, run diagnostic tests, and recommend treatment options. They may also recommend screening tests, such as a colonoscopy, to help prevent disease or detect it at an early stage.
After the surgery, the surgeon will carefully reconnect the colon and rectum, if possible. Sometimes this is not possible and a hole will be created for waste to exit the body through, which is called a stoma or ostomy. The stoma can be temporary or permanent. During your recovery, it is normal to experience discomfort and changes in your bowel habits, but the team will ensure you have proper pain management to make sure your procedure heals properly.
When a person suffers from a condition called diverticulitis, small bulging pouches develop in the digestive tract. If these pouches become inflamed or infected, the surgeon will remove the diseased portion of the intestine and connect the healthy portions, known as anastomosis. If the bowel cannot be connected, it will need to be attached to the outside of the abdomen, which is referred to as a colostomy. Sometimes a colostomy will need to be reversed later to allow the bowel to heal.
During rectal surgery, the doctor will use one long incision or several smaller incisions for laparoscopic procedures. During the procedure, they will remove the diseased section of the colon or rectum and may also remove nearby lymph nodes, depending on the case. They will then close the incisions with stitches or surgical staples.