If you have symptoms involving your lower gastrointestinal tract, your doctor may refer you to a colorectal surgeon. This type of specialist focuses on conditions that impact your colon, rectum and anus.
They are trained as general surgeons and spend an additional year focusing on colon and rectal conditions. Their surgical procedures can involve removing the affected tissue or creating a pouch. Contact Colorectal Surgeon Phoenix for professional help.
If your doctor believes you have an issue with the lower part of your digestive tract, they may refer you to a colorectal surgeon. These specialists have advanced training in diagnosing conditions and addressing issues with the colon, anus, perianal area and rectum. They are also trained in treating complications related to the colon and rectum like hemorrhoids, fistulas, polyps and cancer.
Some of the common reasons people are referred to a colorectal surgeon include abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss and changes in bowel habits or stools. A colorectal surgeon can perform diagnostic tests like a colonoscopy or digital rectal exam to determine the cause of anal bleeding, constipation and other symptoms.
The doctor will usually use a long, flexible and slender tube attached to a video camera and monitor called a colonoscope to look inside your colon and rectum. They can also pass surgical tools through this tube to take samples or remove polyps. If they are unable to find the cause of your symptoms, they can also perform a sigmoidoscopy that examines the lowermost portion of the colon to check for polyps or other abnormalities.
Other surgeries they might perform include a segmental colectomy, which involves the removal of a section of the bowel with disease. They might also perform a total or partial colonic resection, which is the removal of the entire colon and rectum. They might also create a new opening in the abdomen by creating a colostomy.
Hemorrhoids are a common condition that can be caused by a variety of factors including anal itching, irritation and bleeding. They are most often treated with at-home measures but if they do not go away, the surgeon can provide treatment to relieve them. They can also treat issues like a swollen vein in the anal canal or rectum that is known as a fistula.
Hemorrhoids can be painful and uncomfortable, but they are not a serious medical concern. However, if you are experiencing bleeding or the cysts in your rectal lining are causing discomfort and pain, you should see a colorectal surgeon right away. They can drain and surgically remove these cysts to give you long-term relief. They can also treat pilonidal sinuses, which are tracts that run from the cleft of your buttocks to an abscess under your skin filled with hair, dead skin and bacteria.
Treatment
In addition to treating conditions of the colon and rectum, colorectal surgeons also perform specialized surgeries in the anal area for conditions such as anal fistulas (tunnels that develop between the inside of the anus or anal canal and the skin around the anus) and hemorrhoids. Because of their depth of understanding about how the gastrointestinal tract and anorectal system work together, colorectal surgeons can treat many problems with less invasive techniques than general surgeons.
Occasionally, cancer cells in the colon or rectum grow and cause blockages that can make it painful or impossible to have bowel movements. In these situations, a colorectal surgeon can remove the tumor and help you recover. They can also help you cope with any side effects of treatment and provide dietary advice.
Other conditions treated by colorectal surgeons include Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel disorder that affects the entire digestive tract from the mouth to the anus; diverticulosis, a condition that causes small pouches to develop in your large intestine and can lead to pain or blockages; and colon polyps, a growth of abnormal cells that may become colon cancer if not removed. Colorectal surgeons can often detect these problems when they use a non-invasive screening test called a colonoscopy.
Colorectal surgery is done under anesthesia in a hospital or surgical center. After the surgeon makes three to five tiny incisions in your abdomen, a long, thin lighted tube with a camera on the end is put into one of the cuts and sends images to a nearby monitor. Other long, thin tools are then placed into the other incisions to remove diseased sections of your colon and excise growths or tumors.
Sometimes, colon cancer grows so quickly that it blocks the entire colon. When this happens, a colorectal surgeon can create an opening in the abdomen called a stoma that allows you to pass stool and waste. When your colon or rectum heals, your doctor can attach the opening back to your colon and restore normal bowel function. They can also do this to your small intestine, creating an opening called an ileostomy.
Preparation
If you need surgery to treat a condition involving your colon, rectum or anus, you will likely be referred by your primary care physician or gastroenterologist to a colorectal surgeon. These specialists have completed extra training on the surgical care of conditions affecting the lower gastrointestinal tract. They are able to manage a wide range of conditions, from hemorrhoids and diverticulitis to colon cancer.
Most colorectal procedures are performed using minimally invasive techniques. This allows for a faster recovery and reduced pain and discomfort. Your doctor will explain the procedure to you and answer any questions you may have.
To prepare for your surgery, you will need to follow specific dietary instructions. You will also be required to stop or reduce some medications. It is important to arrive at the hospital a few hours prior to your scheduled surgery time. A nurse will place an intravenous line in your arm or hand to give you medications and fluids during the operation. They will also insert a catheter in your bladder and possibly a breathing tube to help you breathe during the surgery. Your doctor will discuss the type of anesthesia you will receive and give you a general idea how long the surgery should take.
Many patients have concerns about surgery. However, it is important to understand that most surgical procedures have risks, but they are usually necessary for improving your health and quality of life. In addition, proper preparation can minimize the risk of complications during and after surgery.
If you have any lingering concerns about your procedure, speak with your colorectal surgeon. They can address any remaining questions and help you make the best decision for your health. Then you will be ready to begin your journey to a healthier lifestyle. You can count on your doctor to provide you with the best treatment possible and support you through your recovery. The results of your surgery will be well worth the effort!
Recovery
The recovery process after colorectal surgery is usually a long one. You will need to take care of wounds, follow a low fiber diet and avoid straining during bowel movements. Your doctor will give you detailed instructions about post-surgical wound care. They will vary depending on the type of surgery you had. Wounds from laparoscopic procedures heal faster than those from open surgery. You will also need to be careful when showering, bathing or swimming until your doctor says it is OK. You should also cut back on alcohol, reduce smoking and get plenty of rest.
During your presurgery appointment, your doctor will explain the procedure, why it is needed and its benefits and risks. They will also recommend any necessary presurgical testing. This may include blood and urine tests, X-rays, an electrocardiogram and a colonoscopy.
Your surgeon will give you specific instructions about what to eat and drink the day of your operation. You should only eat clear liquids and not smoke before the surgery. The night before surgery, you should do a bowel prep that includes an enema and a beverage that cleans the colon and anus. You should not eat solid food the day of your surgery, but you can have fluids up to two hours before you arrive at the hospital.
Most patients will spend two to three days in the hospital following colorectal surgery. You will be hospitalized until your pain is controlled with oral medication; you can eat without nausea; can walk and move around unassisted; can pass gas freely; and do not have any infections or complications from the surgery, such as blood clots.
Complications after colorectal surgery are rare, but they can occur. If you have any concerns about your recovery, contact your doctor right away. Some common complications of this type of surgery include a change in bowel habits, diarrhea, fatigue and nausea. These symptoms should improve as you recover. It is also important to maintain a healthy diet during recovery, starting with liquids and then gradually increasing the amount of solid foods you eat as your body allows.