Colon and rectal surgery, also known as colorectal surgery, is a surgical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the colon, rectum, and anus. These surgeons are experts in both benign and malignant (cancerous) conditions.
🔍 What Do Colon and Rectal Surgeons Treat?
They manage a wide range of conditions, including:
- Colorectal cancer
- Diverticulitis
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) like:
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Hemorrhoids
- Anal fissures
- Fistulas and abscesses
- Bowel obstructions
- Colon polyps
- Rectal prolapse
🔧 Common Procedures and Surgeries
- Colectomy – Removal of part or all of the colon
- Proctectomy – Removal of the rectum
- Colostomy or ileostomy – Creating an opening (stoma) in the abdomen for waste to leave the body
- Polypectomy – Removal of polyps, often during a colonoscopy
- Minimally invasive (laparoscopic or robotic) surgeries
- Hemorrhoidectomy – Surgical removal of hemorrhoids