Our surgeons are experts in the treatment of colorectal cancer, diverticulitis, anorectal disease and pelvic floor disorders. They also participate in national and international research studies to improve surgical outcomes for people with these conditions.
Diversity bias continues to be an issue in many colorectal surgery practices worldwide. It is necessary to work towards real equality and inclusivity. Contact Copper Mountain Surgical for professional help.
Abdominal surgery is the surgical treatment of conditions affecting the abdomen, including the colon and rectum. Colorectal surgeons have completed specialized training in the surgical care of conditions that affect these parts of the body.
The surgery begins with your surgeon making a cut, or incision, in the abdominal area to give them access to the organ or tissue that needs treatment. Your doctor will use a number of specialized tools to remove or repair damaged tissues and organs. The surgical site is then closed with sutures, staples, or special glue to ensure it heals properly.
If your spleen has become enlarged or inflamed, due to an infection or blood disorder, you may need to have it surgically removed, a procedure called splenectomy. This can help relieve pain and prevent life-threatening complications, such as splenic rupture.
After the diseased or damaged section is removed, your surgeon will reconnect your digestive system. This is done in many cases by connecting the colon to an opening in your abdomen, called a stoma. A bag that is attached to the stoma is used for waste removal, and it can be changed as needed. In other cases, your surgeon may use a portion of your small intestine to create a pouch that connects to the anus, allowing you to expel waste normally.
Depending on your condition, you may need to stay in the hospital for several days to recover from the surgery. Your surgeon will be able to explain what to expect during your recovery period, including possible complications that can occur. You can help reduce the risk of complications by following your surgeon’s instructions for post-surgery care, such as taking medication as prescribed and attending follow-up appointments.
Anal
A colorectal surgeon treats conditions that occur in the colon, rectum and anus. Those conditions can include hemorrhoids, abscesses and fistulas, which are abnormal connections between organs and tissues. Surgical drainage and repair can prevent complications and recurrence. A colorectal surgeon may also perform a procedure called sigmoidoscopy, which involves passing a small scope into the large intestine to look for tissue abnormalities.
Your surgeon will ask about your symptoms and conduct a physical exam. They will also review any previous test results, such as imaging and stool sample tests. Your doctor will create a customized treatment plan for you that takes your health needs and preferences into account.
If your surgeon recommends surgery, they will explain the procedure and answer any questions you might have. They might need to order additional diagnostic testing before your operation, such as an MRI or CT scan of the colon and an ultrasound of the pelvic organs. You will need to follow a special diet and take certain medications prior to your surgery, so talk with your doctor if you have any questions.
Hemorrhoids are painful swellings of blood vessels in the lower part of the rectum and anus. Less invasive treatments usually cure most cases of hemorrhoids, but if they become severe or don’t respond to medication, your doctor might recommend surgery. Diverticulitis is an inflammation or infection of pouches (diverticula) that form in your colon and can cause serious problems if they don’t respond to antibiotics. Anal fistulas are abnormal ‘tunnels’ that connect the anal canal to other parts of your body, usually other parts of the colon or the abdominal skin. Anal fistulas can be treated with surgery or Botulinum toxin injections into the anal sphincter to relax muscle spasms and reduce pain and discomfort.
Rectal
Like any surgery, rectal surgery carries risks, but minimally invasive surgical techniques have been shown to reduce the risk of complications. However, risks such as infection, blood clots and post-operative bowel blockage exist with any abdominal surgery requiring general anesthesia.
Rectal surgery can also repair problems with the anal sphincter (the muscle at the anus that controls bowel movements) when scar tissue has narrowed it (stricture). Our doctors perform a procedure called anal rectal reconstruction/sphincterplasty to widen this area and alleviate fecal incontinence.
Another surgical option is a colon resection, which removes all or part of the colon. This is done if you have colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Some patients have a permanent stoma after this operation, while others can retain their anal sphincter and have bowel passage through the anus. In these cases, your doctor may use a technique called sphincter-preserving surgery to allow the anal sphincter to function normally, although you will need to empty a diverting ostomy bag regularly throughout the day.
If you have a tumor that has spread to the mesorectum, our specialists may need to use total mesorectal excision. This involves removing the whole mesorectum and a section of the surrounding tissues to check for cancer cells. This reduces your chance of the tumor coming back and lowers your risk of it spreading elsewhere in your body. Our surgeons have a wealth of experience performing this procedure, and they may be able to use a laparoscopic approach to ensure the best possible outcome. This procedure is often performed with a local anesthetic. Whether or not you have this procedure, it’s important to follow your doctor’s after-care instructions and attend all follow-up appointments so they can monitor you for signs of complications.
Diverticulosis
Diverticulosis occurs when weakened areas of the colon lining form small pouches or sacks (diverticula) on the intestinal wall. While these pouches are harmless in most people, they can become inflamed and cause pain in the lower abdomen (diverticulitis). Infected diverticula often cause bloating and constipation. If not treated, the inflammation may worsen and cause an abscess or bowel obstruction.
The doctor can diagnose diverticulitis by taking a history of your symptoms and performing a physical exam. Blood and urine tests can check for infection or inflammation, including high white blood cell counts. A pelvic CT scan with a contrast agent shows the digestive tract and bladder more clearly.
Doctors treat mild cases of diverticulitis with rest, liquid diets, and oral antibiotics. If the symptoms are severe, a doctor can use a colonoscope to inject medicines or burn an area in your intestine to stop bleeding. In some cases, doctors can use a technique called angiography to create pictures of your abdominal organs without using ionizing radiation.
Surgery for chronic or recurrent episodes of diverticulitis is recommended if your symptoms aren’t relieved by other treatments. The surgeon removes the inflamed section of your colon (colectomy) and connects it to healthy sections of your bowel through an opening in your abdominal wall (anastomosis). This can improve the chances of normal bowel movements after surgery.
If you’re considering surgery to prevent recurrent diverticulitis or to cure complications of your condition, it’s important to choose a surgeon with experience in this procedure. Look for a surgeon who has positive reviews from patients, as well as training and specialization in colorectal surgery. You may also want to ask your friends and family for recommendations.
Colostomy
A colon (large intestine) colostomy is an operation in which part of the large bowel is surgically disconnected from the rest of the bowel. An opening, called a stoma, is created in the abdominal wall and connected to an external bag for stool collection. A stoma may be temporary, needed to allow a diseased area of the colon time to heal, or permanent.
Your doctor will give you specific instructions about bowel preparation for the surgery. These might include taking liquid laxatives or enemas to empty your colon before surgery. Once you are asleep under general anesthesia, your surgeon makes a cut in the abdomen to expose one end of the colon and creates a stoma on the skin of your abdomen (usually the lower left side). An appliance is attached to the stoma that collects and holds the waste. A specially trained nurse (ostomy nurse) can teach you how to empty your stoma and care for the equipment in a way that prevents infection and allows for proper function of the colon.
Depending on the type of colostomy you receive, your stools might be looser or thicker than before. This is normal. The stoma will probably be swollen at first, and the pouch may leak a little. It will get better with time.
If your colostomy is permanent, you will need to keep it clean by emptying the stoma regularly and keeping the stoma site healthy. Regular sex will help prevent the stoma from becoming blocked, which is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. In some cases, your colostomy can be reversed in a second surgery to connect the ends of the bowel again.