When should I see a colorectal surgeon?
Colorectal surgeons treat conditions that affect the large intestine and the anus. These conditions are all specific diagnoses and almost all patients who see a colorectal surgeon have a specific diagnosis that requires specialized treatment. Some of the most common diagnoses that lead to colorectal surgery referral are:
- Colon cancer
- Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)
- Severe diverticulitis
- Anal fistulas, fissures, or hemorrhoids
- Genetic conditions that lead to a high colon cancer risk
What happens at a colorectal surgeon appointment?
A colorectal surgery appointment will generally be focused on a specific issue that may require surgical treatment. The surgeon will perform a general exam, review your medical history, and determine if surgery is the best option. This evaluation may lead to immediate surgery within days, a scheduled surgery sometime in the future, or a trial of medications and other treatments before surgery is considered.
What do colorectal surgeons look for?
Colorectal surgeons look for signs of “focal structural disease.” Signs of damage to a specific area of the colon/anus or an abnormality in an area of the colon/anus that can be resolved with one or more surgical procedures. Almost all patients that may receive surgery get one or more computed tomography scans (CT scans) or magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of the abdomen and pelvis. These tests create detailed images of the organs that surgeons can use to determine if surgery is necessary.
What procedures do colorectal surgeons perform?
Colorectal surgeons perform almost any procedure that involves the large intestine, the rectum (the end of the colon), and the tissues that surround the anus. These range from minor procedures that can be completed in a doctor’s office to complex surgeries that require weeks of recovery. Some of the most common procedures are:
- Hemorrhoid removal
- Anal fissure or fistula repair
- Removal of all or part of the colon (hemicolectomy or colectomy)
- Colon cancer removal
- Placement of an ostomy
Colorectal surgeons are specialists who have completed training in general surgery. Because of this, they may also perform general surgical procedures on the gallbladder, appendix, and other organs within the abdomen.
Is colorectal surgery a major surgery?
Yes, many colorectal surgeries involve multiple steps, repeat procedures, extensive follow-up visits, and long periods of recovery. Many of these surgeries are done to treat cancer, which requires coordination with an oncologist for possible radiation and chemotherapy treatments.
There are some colorectal surgeries that are relatively minor. Surgeries and procedures focused on treating hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and colon polyps often have a short recovery time. However, these procedures are still complex and can lead to serious complications even in otherwise healthy patients.
Do colorectal surgeons remove hemorrhoids?
Sometimes, hemorrhoids may be removed surgically or with endoscopic procedures such as banding or burning away the abnormal tissue. Surgical treatment is typically reserved for hemorrhoids that have failed several weeks of alternative treatments. Surgery is a last resort for hemorrhoids because it has a much higher rate of complications than other less invasive treatment methods.
