Colon and Rectal Surgery

Colon and Rectal Surgery, also known as Colorectal Surgery, is the specialty that focuses on surgical treatment of diseases of the colon (large intestine), rectum and anus. Colorectal surgeons manage both benign and cancerous conditions, often working closely with gastroenterologists and oncologists.

What they do: Colorectal surgeons evaluate symptoms such as rectal bleeding, change in bowel habits, anal pain, lumps and incontinence. They perform colonoscopy and proctoscopy, remove polyps, treat haemorrhoids, fissures and fistulas, and operate on colon and rectal cancers, inflammatory bowel disease and other complex conditions. They also create and manage stomas (colostomy/ileostomy) when needed.

Common conditions treated: colorectal cancer and polyps, rectal bleeding, haemorrhoids (piles), anal fissures and fistulas, inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease) requiring surgery, diverticular disease with complications, rectal prolapse, severe constipation or incontinence with structural causes, anal and perianal infections and abscesses.

When to visit: if you have rectal bleeding, blood mixed with stool or black tarry stools, persistent change in bowel habits (diarrhoea, constipation or narrowing of stool), unexplained weight loss with bowel symptoms, painful swelling, discharge or lumps around the anus, long-standing haemorrhoids not improving with medicine, known or suspected colorectal cancer or polyps, or if your gastroenterologist advises surgery for bowel disease.

Treatment methods: thorough history and rectal examination, proctoscopy and colonoscopy to inspect the colon and rectum and remove polyps, biopsy of suspicious lesions, open or laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery for colon and rectal cancers and other diseases, stapler surgery for haemorrhoids and prolapse in selected patients, seton or other techniques for complex fistulas, creation and later closure of colostomy or ileostomy when required, pain control, bowel preparation and enhanced recovery protocols, and long-term follow-up for cancer surveillance and bowel function.