The term "colorectal" is a combination of two words: colon and rectum. This term often refers to all organs of the lower digestive tract, including the colon, rectum, anus, pelvic floor and small intestine. Colorectal surgery includes a wide range of surgical procedures that can treat conditions affecting the lower digestive tract, ranging from hemorrhoids to diverticulitis to cancer. Many procedures can be performed using minimally invasive, or laparoscopic or robotic, techniques.
The two primary categories of colorectal surgeries are abdominal surgery and anorectal surgery.
These surgical procedures are performed on the digestive organs in the abdomen, primarily the small intestine and colon.The most common surgical procedures treat are:Colon cancer, Rectal cancer and Diverticulitis.
During this procedure, your surgeon will create a hole in your abdominal wall and pull the intestine out and secure it to the skin. This is called a stoma or ostomy. It allows stool to leave your body. A colostomy bag attaches to the stoma to collect the waste.
In cases of severe ulcerative colitis or hereditary cancer syndromes, ileoanal anastomosis surgery is an alternative to a permanent ostomy. It's commonly called J-pouch surgery. During J-pouch surgery, your surgeon removes the entire colon and constructs a pouch, shaped like the letter J, from the end of the small intestine and attached to the end of the rectum. A temporary ostomy is usually created to allow the J pouch to heal for about two to three months. A second surgery closes the ileostomy, allowing you to pass stool normally.
Anorectal disorders are a group of medical disorders that occur within the anal canal and rectum. Often these conditions are a source of discomfort, pain, embarrassment and worry.The most common anal and rectal procedures are treatments for:Hemorrhoids, Anal fissures, Anal fistulas and Prolapse.
