A colorectal surgeon (also known as a proctologist) focuses on issues in the lower digestive tract. They often use minimally invasive techniques to minimize scarring and recovery time.
Some surgical conditions like fistulas, rectal prolapse and fecal incontinence require surgery to treat them. When necessary, a colorectal surgeon will create an opening in your abdominal wall to allow waste to exit the body into a bag outside the body. Visit Our Website Here to learn more.
Fistulas are abnormal tunnels that develop between the skin and the anus or rectum. These tunnels often ooze blood or pus. They can cause pain, itching and rashes on the buttocks. If you develop an anal fistula, it is important to see a Colorectal Surgeon. Most anal fistulas form in response to an abscess that drains into the anal canal. They can also form if there is damage to the sphincter muscles around the anus.
During a physical exam, your doctor can feel for an anal fistula by putting a lubricated glove into the anal canal. He or she can also use a lighted scope, like a proctoscope or anoscope (a longer-scope that can visualize your rectum). A specialized dye may be injected into the anal canal to find the fistula tract. X-rays and CT scans can help to find the location and depth of the tract as well.
The goal of treatment for anal fistulas is to keep them open so that they can drain easily, which can provide symptomatic relief. Several different procedures are used to do this, including seton drainage, fistulotomy, anal fibrin sealant or collagen plug. In most cases, your doctor will choose a combination of these procedures to treat your anal fistula.
If your anal fistula is complicated, your healthcare provider will need to use a lighted scope to find the internal opening of the fistula tract. He or she might also inject hydrogen peroxide into the external opening to create bubbles and find the fistula tract. An MRI is another option that provides detailed, noninvasive images of the anal area.
Depending on the type of anal fistula, surgery can be done in your doctor’s office or the operating room under sedation. Larger fistulas take a little longer to heal than simple fistulas. They will require more recovery time, and you might have to wear an abdominal pad to prevent leaking during this time. Your doctor will also prescribe pain killers, antibiotics to prevent infections and stool softeners to make it easier for you to have bowel movements while you are healing.
Rectum prolapse
Rectal prolapse is a condition where part of your colon falls through the anus. It can cause pain or other symptoms like diarrhea and constipation. Rectal prolapse can be mild and can usually be treated by a change in diet or other non-surgical methods. However, severe or long-lasting prolapses may need surgical repair.
This is because the muscles that support the colon are weak or have deteriorated. This can happen naturally with age or as a result of other conditions like chronic constipation or diarrhea. Some people are more likely to develop rectal prolapse, such as women or those who have had multiple childbirths. Other causes include inflammatory bowel disease, hemorrhoids, or smoking.
There are several ways to surgically fix a rectal prolapse. The most common is a procedure called a rectopexy. During this procedure, your surgeon will stitch your rectum to the back wall of your pelvis (your sacrum). Your doctor may also use mesh to hold it in place. This type of procedure has a 97% success rate and will help prevent your rectal prolapse from returning.
Another way to treat a rectal prolapse is with a technique known as a perineal repair. During this procedure, your surgeon will put pressure on the area through the anus. This will help to reduce the prolapse and relieve your symptoms. This procedure can be performed with general or spinal anesthesia.
If you’re considering surgery to treat a rectal prolapse, it’s important to tell your doctor about your symptoms and other health problems. This will help them choose the best operation for you. It’s also important to discuss any medications you take, including vitamins and supplements.
Before the surgery, you’ll need to have a blood test and an imaging test to check for any abnormalities that could affect your safety. You’ll also need to have a discussion with your surgeon about what you can expect during and after the procedure.
After the procedure, you’ll probably need to spend a few days recovering. You might feel pain or discomfort in the rectal area, but this should go away with time. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions about pain relief.
Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in the large intestine, or colon. The colon is the long tube that extends from your lower rectum to the anus, and it’s broken up into several different anatomic segments: the cecum/ascending colon (on the right side of your body), the transverse colon, the descending colon, and the sigmoid colon. Each of these segments connects to the anus, and the sigmoid colon also connects to the rectum.
If you’re diagnosed with colorectal cancer, your surgeon may recommend surgery as part of your treatment plan. The type of surgery can vary based on the stage of your cancer and where it is located. Surgery can be used alone or in combination with other treatments like chemotherapy and radiation.
The goal of surgery is to remove the cancerous tissue and nearby lymph nodes that could spread the cancer. This procedure is called colectomy, and it can be performed openly or through a laparoscopy. Your surgeon might also remove other parts of your colon to reduce the chance of recurrence. The amount of colon removed depends on the stage of your colon cancer and how close it is to other organs. Depending on how much colon is removed, you might need to have a stoma or colostomy. A stoma is a surgical opening in your abdomen where waste passes into a bag. This can be done if you’ve had a complete colectomy or after a partial colon removal, such as a hemicolectomy or sigmoidectomy.
Your surgeon might also use a minimally invasive procedure called endoscopic mucosal resection or EMR to remove small, localized cancers. During this procedure, your surgeon inserts a long tube with a light and camera attached into your anus and colon. They can then remove any tissue that looks abnormal with a tool called an endoscope.
Other tests, such as an MRI, CT scan, and a positron emission tomography (PET) scan, can help your doctor find out whether your colon cancer is advanced. These tests can help your doctor determine how serious the cancer is and if it has spread.
Inflammatory bowel disease
Inflammatory bowel disease is an ongoing condition that affects the gastrointestinal tract. It includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. These diseases cause inflammation, swelling, and damage to the lining of the digestive tract. They can also cause other symptoms, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, fatigue, fever, and weight loss. Symptoms of IBD can be controlled with medications. However, surgery is necessary in some cases.
If a colon stricture (scar tissue) is present, surgeons can perform a procedure to remove the scar tissue and open the blockage. This procedure is called a proctocolectomy. The surgeon may remove only the colon, or they may remove the entire colon and rectum, creating an ileoanal anastomosis or J-pouch.
This procedure is typically performed using minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopy. It is less painful than traditional surgical methods, allowing patients to recover more quickly. This type of procedure can be done for patients who are overweight or have other health issues, making them unable to tolerate a more invasive surgery.
The goal of surgery for inflammatory bowel disease is to restore normal bowel function and reduce cancer risk. To achieve these goals, the surgeon must carefully assess the patient’s symptoms, current medical history, and other health issues. In addition, the surgeon must consider what types of surgery are available and how they can be accomplished with minimal risk.
The most common procedure for inflammatory bowel disease is a total colectomy with an ileostomy. This is a surgical procedure that completely removes the colon and rectum. It is often used in patients who are not able to tolerate the complications of a colon resection, including impaired anal sphincter function or a distal rectal cancer.