Colorectal Surgeon Phoenix, also known as a proctologist, has completed five years of surgical residency and an extra year of specialty training in surgery of the colon, rectum, and anus. They treat conditions ranging from hemorrhoids and anal fistulas to cancer and inflammatory bowel disease.
During surgery, the surgeon may remove part of the colon or rectum. If the intestine cannot be internally reconnected, it is attached to the outside of the body (a colostomy), and a stoma bag collects the stool.
Hemorrhoids are enlarged veins in the rectum or anal canal. They can cause pain, itching, and other unpleasant symptoms. Hemorrhoids are common and affect both men and women. They can be caused by straining during bowel movements, sitting for long periods of time, diarrhea, constipation and being pregnant. Over-the-counter creams and ointments can provide temporary relief. However, they do not cure the problem or prevent future episodes. If over-the-counter treatments do not alleviate the symptoms, a colorectal surgeon can provide treatment.
Over-the-counter hemorrhoid medications can cause serious health problems if used for long periods of time, so patients should only use them as directed by their doctor. A patient who experiences rectal bleeding should consult a colorectal surgeon immediately. A colorectal surgeon will examine the patient and determine the source of the hemorrhoids. This will usually include a physical examination and a pelvic exam. The doctor may also recommend a diagnostic test such as a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy to gather additional information about the cause of the hemorrhoids.
Symptoms of hemorrhoids can be difficult to describe, so the doctor will ask the patient for information about the symptoms and how long they have been present. The patient should also give a complete medical history, including any family histories of hemorrhoids. The colorectal surgeon will need to know what over-the-counter medication the patient has been taking and if they have any allergies.
Treatment options for hemorrhoids include a sitz bath or over-the-counter ointments and creams. If these treatments do not relieve the symptoms, a patient can undergo a medical procedure known as hemorrhoidectomy. During this surgical procedure, the colorectal surgeon removes the extra tissue that causes bleeding. This surgery is performed with a local anesthetic or a medicine that makes the patient calm and relaxed, called a sedative. In some cases, general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia is used.
Hemorrhoidectomy can be done with a number of different techniques and instruments. In one type of procedure, a rubber band is placed around the base of the hemorrhoid to cut off blood supply to it. Another technique uses electrocoagulation to destroy the blood vessels in the hemorrhoid. If the hemorrhoid protrudes from the anus, it can be stapled or pulled out with a stapling instrument. Hemorrhoidectomy also includes methods that use heat, laser or infrared light to shrivel the hemorrhoids.
Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis is a condition that occurs when small, bulging pouches called diverticula develop in the inner wall of your digestive tract. These pouches usually form in the large intestine (colon). Diverticulosis is very common, especially among people over age 60.
When you have diverticulitis, it is often painful and uncomfortable, and it can lead to a colon infection. If the problem is severe or complicated, you may need to stay in the hospital for treatment. Your healthcare provider may diagnose diverticulitis with imaging tests, such as a CT scan or an ultrasound, or by looking inside your colon with a lighted scope, called a colonoscopy.
Your care team may also use a tube to drain pus from your abdomen or perform surgery to remove part of the colon in more serious cases of diverticulitis. This surgery can be done using laparoscopic techniques.
Symptoms of diverticulitis can be very unpleasant and can include abdominal pain, fever and rectal bleeding. Taking a high-fiber diet may help prevent diverticulitis. But the best way to prevent it is to see your healthcare provider if you think you have symptoms.
In most cases, the inflammation from diverticulitis will go away on its own with treatment. But if the condition is chronic, you may need treatment for longer periods of time. Your healthcare provider may recommend that you take antibiotics to treat the infection.
If you have severe complications from diverticulitis, such as a perforation or an abscess in the colon, you may need to be admitted to the hospital. During this time, your healthcare provider may give you intravenous fluids and antibiotics to control the infection. They may also drain the abscess or use a tube to remove pus from your abdomen.
Your healthcare team may recommend surgery to remove the diseased part of your colon if you have multiple episodes of diverticulitis or infectious complications. During the operation, your health care team will remove the diseased portion of your colon and then reconnect the healthy segments. Generally, you will be able to have normal bowel movements after surgery.
Cancer
Cancer can be a devastating diagnosis, and colorectal surgeons are experienced in treating all types of colon and rectal cancer. They often treat patients with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation, which can shrink tumors and reduce the chance that the cancer will return. They may also perform surgery to remove parts of the colon or rectum. In the most common surgeries — colectomy for colon cancer and proctectomy for rectal cancer — they remove the diseased part of the colon or rectum and reconnect the healthy ends. Some people who have this type of surgery need to have fecal matter (stool) diverted to another opening in the abdomen, a procedure called a colostomy. This can be temporary or permanent, depending on the person’s needs and preference.
In specialized cases, the colorectal surgeon may remove only the affected section of the colon or rectum and leave other sections intact. They can use a minimally invasive surgery technique known as laparoscopic or robot assisted. This approach decreases pain, shortens hospital stays and improves recovery times.
If a patient’s cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or liver, colorectal surgeons may be able to use surgery to remove these areas of the tumor. This can help patients live longer, and it may cure the cancer completely.
As a result of their extensive training and expertise, colorectal surgeons are also trained to treat conditions of the lower digestive tract that affect other organs such as the pelvic floor, small intestine and anus. They can even repair hernias in this area. Because most of these procedures involve the large intestine, most are performed through a surgical incision in the abdomen. However, colorectal surgeons can also perform minimally invasive procedures through the rectum or vagina. This is typically done using a metal tube called a laparoscope, which enables them to view and access the bowels. It is often performed in conjunction with the use of a robotic device that helps surgeons perform complex maneuvers with greater precision. This advanced technology can lead to smaller incisions, less pain, shorter hospital stays and fewer complications after the surgery.
Abdominal Pain
Pain that occurs in the space between your chest and pelvis is called abdominal pain. Often, this discomfort is caused by problems with the digestive organs, including the small and large intestines, gall bladder and pancreas. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and come and go, depending on the cause of your pain. Most people have occasional episodes of abdominal pain that resolve on their own or with home treatment. However, persistent or severe abdominal pain may be a sign of a serious medical condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Abdominal pain can be short-lived, also known as acute, or it may last for weeks, months or even years, which is referred to as chronic. In general, your physician will ask about the time of onset of your pain and how long it has been present. The location of your abdominal pain will also be important to help your physician determine the source of the discomfort.
Many people with bowel cancer experience abdominal pain. This is due to the fact that the tumors (or cancer) grow in the lining of the colon or rectum. Your physician will use medical imaging and laboratory tests to find the source of your discomfort and the type of treatment you need.
If you have colorectal cancer, your surgeon will talk with you about a treatment plan that includes your pain management. Using advances in surgical and postoperative pain management, your care team will work together to make sure you are comfortable as you recover from surgery. You will be able to eat solid foods and drink liquids as you heal, and your surgeon will teach you how to perform coughing and deep breathing exercises to reduce abdominal pain. You will learn to do these exercises while you are in the hospital before your surgery, so you can do them at home as soon as possible after your procedure. You will also be taught about eating a healthy diet and how to take care of your incision. You will be given a list of over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, to take at home to help control your pain.