Wellstar Colon & Rectal Surgery
Colon and Rectal Surgery provides comprehensive, supportive care for a broad spectrum of stomach and intestinal conditions, both benign and malignant, with world-class expertise in the latest surgical techniques, including robotic and minimally invasive procedures.
Colon & Rectal Surgery at Wellstar
Wellstar board-certified colon and rectal surgeons focus on diagnosing and treating diseases of the small intestine, colon, rectum, anal canal and perianal areas, including the organs and tissues related to primary intestinal diseases. From benign inflammatory conditions to hemorrhoids to the enhanced management of colorectal cancer, the team specializes in a wide range of colon and rectal treatments and procedures. When medically advised, we offer advanced, minimally invasive approaches to colorectal surgery, including laparoscopic and robot-assisted procedures. These techniques help minimize scarring, reduce pain and accelerate your recovery—all to get you back to living your everyday life sooner. Our colorectal professionals collaborate with other providers including oncologists, gastroenterologists and radiologists to ensure comprehensive treatment. At Wellstar, we work together to create a plan that’s tailored specifically to your health needs.Genetic Risk Assessment for Colorectal Concerns
Patients with a family history of colorectal disease may wish to take advantage of genetic testing and assessment to learn more about potential risk factors. Wellstar medical geneticists and genetic counselors evaluate and advise on hereditary colorectal disorders including colon cancers and Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP). Our specialists work as a part of your treatment team to help manage your overall risk, health and well-being.What We Treat
- Anorectal disorders (hemorrhoids, fissures, fistulas)
- Colon cancer
- Colovesical fistulas
- Crohn’s disease
- Diverticulitis
- Fecal incontinence
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Rectal cancer
- Rectal prolapse
- Ulcerative colitis
Procedures
Until 1990, most surgeries to treat colorectal diseases required a large incision across the abdomen, opening up the intestinal cavity to perform the necessary repair. Advances in medicine, surgical techniques, and technology have set a new standard of care.While surgeons at Wellstar utilize “open” surgery techniques for some major procedures, almost all colorectal surgeries at Wellstar are performed using “minimally invasive” or laparoscopic approaches. Minimally invasive surgery involves using precise instruments and a tiny video camera through small incisions in the abdomen. Patients who undergo minimally invasive surgery recover faster, with less pain after surgery. Laparoscopic techniques are commonly used in operations to treat diverticular disease, ulcerative colitis, Chrohn’s disease, severe constipation, and rectal cancer.
Surgeons at multiple Wellstar medical centers use the da Vinci® Surgical System to assist in complex colorectal surgeries. The da Vinci® Surgical System improves the surgeon’s vision and control.
Colectomy
Colectomy is an operation to remove part or all of the large intestine (colon). Colectomies are routinely performed to treat diseases that cause painful and/or potentially dangerous symptoms. Laparoscopic colectomy involves using trocars (thin tubes) placed through small incisions. The surgeon then inflates the abdomen with carbon dioxide gas. A thin telescope is inserted through one of the trocars to allow the surgeon to see the abdomen on a high-definition TV monitor. Using specialized instruments, the surgeon removes (or resects) the colon. When the resection is complete, the surgeon has the option of immediately restoring the bowel, by stitching or stapling together both the cut ends (primary anastomosis), or creating a colostomy.
Colostomy
For a
colostomy,
a portion of the large intestine is brought through the abdominal wall to create an opening to carry feces out to a small pouch. For an ileostomy, the entire colon, rectum and anus is removed or bypassed and the lower end of the small intestine is used for the new opening.
While some colostomies are permanent, many are temporary procedures to relieve pressure on the large intestine as it heals. Due to advances in colorectal surgical techniques, colostomies overall are used in fewer and fewer procedures.
Services and Procedures
- Abdominal perineal resection
- Colectomy
- Colonoscopy
- Colon resection
- Colostomy closure
- Colorectal cancer screening & treatment
- Hemicolectomy
- Hemorrhoidectomy
- Ileostomy
- Ileostomy closure
- Laparotomy
- Lysis of adhesions
- Proctectomy
- Robotic colorectal surgery
- Robotic rectopexy
- Small bowel resection
Patient Education Resources
