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Colorectal Surgery: Purpose, Procedure, and Benefits and Side Effects

Last Updated: Jul 01, 2023

What is Colorectal Surgery?

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Colorectal surgery can be best defined as a field of medicine that predominantly deals with disorders of the anus, rectum, and colon. This field is also known as 'proctology' to some people. However, the term is now used less frequently within the medicine sector. In fact, it is now often employed to identify the group of studies or practices specifically pertaining to the anus and rectum.

'Colorectal' is basically a combination of two words: colon and rectum. This term is used for all organs located within the lower digestive tract, including the rectum, pelvic floor, anus, colon, and small intestine. Above all, it should be noted that colorectal cancer is now one of the most common cancers in the world (in both men and women).Moreover, 'colorectal surgery' is a term that is used to describe various surgical procedures that mainly treat conditions affecting the lower digestive tract. This can include anything from haemorrhoids and diverticulitis to cancer. Many of these surgical procedures can be carried out using minimally invasive methods, such as robotic or laparoscopic techniques.

The most common surgical procedures that treat conditions of the digestive organs in the abdomen are for colon cancer, rectal cancer, and diverticulitis (among others). These procedures are usually performed on the small intestine and colon.

Types of Colorectal Surgery

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There are numerous different types of colorectal surgery, which is defined as any surgery that treats conditions affecting the small intestine, large intestine (or colon), rectum (end of the large intestine), and anus (end of the intestinal tract). Some of the most common types of colorectal surgery are mentioned and explained below.

Colectomy

A colectomy can be best defined as a surgical procedure that basically involves the removal of all or some of your colon. The colon, which is part of the large intestine, is a long, tubular organ that is located at the end of the human body's digestive tract. This operation may be indispensable to treat or prevent certain medical conditions and diseases that predominantly affect the colon. If the entire large intestine needs to be removed, it is generally called a total colectomy, whereas if the rectum is also included, it will be called a proctocolectomy.

Colostomy

A colostomy is a surgical procedure in which a section of the large intestine, or colon, is brought through an opening (through an incision or cut) in the wall of the abdomen. This opening, called a stoma, is commonly permanent but may also be temporary in some cases. A colostomy is usually done following bowel surgery or injury.

The opening is created by taking the healthy end of the colon and passing it through an incision in the stomach area, or anterior abdominal. The end is then sutured into place. A general surgeon who specialises in colon surgery performs the entire procedure.

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Hemorrhoidectomy

It is, in a nutshell, the surgical removal of haemorrhoids. During this surgical procedure, a doctor first makes small incisions around the patient's anus in order to slice them away. You may get local anaesthesia (which means the area that is being operated on will be numb and you will be awake) or general anaesthesia (you will be put to sleep). Hemorrhoidectomy is most often carried out as an outpatient procedure, which means that patients can usually go home the same day as their operation.

Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy

It is a medical procedure that is predominantly performed by specialised surgeons to treat chronic anal fissures. The internal anal sphincter is basically a muscle that is meant to control the passage of feces. This operation is carried out by cutting through the muscle in order to relieve the pressure and pain caused by the fissure.Anal fissures are mostly caused by the spasm of the anal muscles or passing hard and large stools and can cause severe anal pain that is usually felt during and after a bowel movement.

Laparoscopic Rectopexy

It is a surgery that is used to repair rectal prolapse, which is a medical condition that occurs when part of the large intestine slips outside of the anus. This condition can be quite painful for most patients. Furthermore, surgery is frequently required to treat it.

In laparoscopic rectopexy, the rectum is restored by a team of surgeons to its normal position in the pelvis so that it can be kept from protruding through the anus. In most cases, the rectum is secured with stitches, often along with synthetic mesh. This surgery is important because it helps to restore the function of the rectum and eliminates any pain that may have been associated with prolapse.

Benefits of Colorectal Surgery

  • Good riddance to certain chronic and life-threatening colorectal disorders (such as IBD or inflammatory bowel disease)
  • Good riddance to all the stress, pain, and trauma brought by your condition
  • Good riddance to a lot of harsh drugs and medications
  • Treatment of an internal wound or injury
  • Treatment of serious infections
  • Treatment of certain fatal cancers (such as colon cancer)
  • Healthier organs (within the lower digestive tract)
  • Improved life quality
  • improved (overall) health
  • Increased life expectancy (or longevity)

Why is Colorectal Surgery Done?

Colon and rectal (or colorectal) surgeries are usually performed to treat or manage a number of disorders related to the colon and rectum, including colon and rectal cancers, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and diverticulitis, among others. These procedures may also be performed after an internal wound or visceral injury, a serious infection (of the colon and rectum), or a bowel blockage.

What Are the Risks of Colorectal Surgery?

  • Bleeding
  • Visceral injury
  • Gastrointestinal (GI) motility complications
  • Organ space infection
  • Bowel obstruction

Note: You can avoid most of the risks associated with different types of thoracic surgery by entrusting experienced doctors and surgeons, such as the medical professionals available at Pristyn Care.

How Do I Prepare for Colorectal Surgery?

About a month prior to your colorectal surgery, you will have a pre-surgical appointment with your surgeon. Your surgeon or healthcare provider will go over the details of the procedure with you, as well as how the surgery is performed and why it is necessary.

They will also discuss preoperative preparations and which medications (or drugs) you can take the day of your surgery. All things considered, this is the time to ask as many questions as you may have pertaining to your colorectal surgery preparation and recovery.

Apart from that, your doctor may also order pre-surgical testing, which mostly includes urine and blood tests, an electrocardiogram (EKG), an X-ray, and possibly an ultrasound or certain other tests. Your surgeon may also recommend other medical professionals or health care providers who can help you plan your aftercare. These could be specialists like dietitians, diabetes educators, or exercise physiologists.

How is Colorectal Surgery Done?

Colorectal surgery is an umbrella term for all surgical procedures that are performed to treat conditions related to the colon and rectum. So, there are numerous different types of colorectal surgery that are performed in different ways. For example, here are a few different procedures:

Colon Cancer Surgery

Surgery to treat colon cancer can be carried out in a couple of different ways, which are traditional or open surgery and modern or minimally invasive procedures. It must be noted that a minimally invasive procedure can be deemed more favourable because it involves just a few small incisions and takes fewer days to recover.

During laparoscopic or robotic surgery for colon cancer, your healthcare provider or surgeon will make a few small incisions in your abdominal wall. They will then insert a camera and small instruments to remove the cancerous portion of your colon, along with the nearby lymph nodes.

In the majority of cases, the bowel is able to be reattached internally so that there is no need for a colostomy. This allows for normal stool passage. It is only in rare circumstances that a colostomy is needed.

Small Bowel Resection

A small bowel resection, also known as SBR, is a surgery that is commonly used to treat and remove Crohn's disease, cancer, ulcers, benign tumours, and polyps. This surgery is performed by removing a portion of the small intestine.

The surgeon will remove the diseased portions of the small intestine and then stitch the healthy parts back together. If necessary, an ostomy (an opening to the outside of the body) will also be created.

Low Anterior Resection

In this surgical procedure, the surgeon removes a section of the rectum and rejoins the remaining sections (through anastomoses). This operation requires dissection deep into the pelvis. Moreover, it must be noted that anastomoses, or connections between blood vessels, at this deep level are more likely to leak.

To prevent this, an ostomy may be created above the site of the anastomosis to stop the pressure of bowel movements. However, one of the risks associated with deep pelvic dissection is damage to the nerves that are responsible for function in the bladder and sexual organs. This could lead to problems later on.

Laparoscopic Colon Resection

It is another type of surgery that is predominantly used to treat colorectal cancer. This surgery involves making small incisions in the abdomen and using special tools to remove the cancerous tissue. Laparoscopic colon resection is often used because it is less invasive than traditional surgery and has a shorter recovery time.

The laparoscope is a small, tubular instrument that is inserted through a small abdominal cut (or incision) into the abdominal organs in order to examine them. This instrument has a light on its end. This light essentially allows the surgeon or healthcare provider to see clearly inside their patient's abdomen.

In other words, laparoscopic colon resection is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to remove cancerous tissue and lymph nodes. This approach is less invasive than traditional surgery and typically results in a shorter hospital stay and quicker recovery time for patients.

Before the Procedure

Any type of colorectal surgery requires the patient's colon to be clean and empty. So, your doctor may ask you to follow a special diet plan (recommended by them) for a few days before the procedure.Also, you may be given certain enemas and/or laxative drinks so that all of the stools present in your colon can easily get out of it. This bowel preparation is very similar to the one that is used before a colonoscopy in most cases.

During the Procedure

Different colorectal surgery procedures are performed differently. For example, during rectal cancer surgery, the surgeon makes several small incisions (or cuts) in the patient's abdomen in order to remove the cancer as well as a margin of normal tissue that surrounds the cancer.

The procedure also involves removing lymph nodes as well as other tissues around the rectum. The patient's colon is thereafter reattached to the remaining portion of the rectum. By doing so, it may eliminate the requirement for a permanent colostomy in the future.

After the Procedure

  • The length of time you will spend in the hospital after your procedure will vary depending on the type of procedure and whether or not there are complications, but it is typically four to seven days. However, before you are discharged from the hospital, you will need to show that you are eating enough, having bowel movements, and that you can tolerate your oral pain medications.
  • Your healthcare provider will give you pain medication if you experience any pain. The amount of pain medication you require will depend on the severity of your pain and how well your incision is healing.
  • The pain you are experiencing will gradually start to subside as your incision starts to heal. You'll eventually need less medication to manage the pain.

How Much Does Colorectal Surgery Cost?

India has a wealth of internationally trained surgeons who specialise in all different kinds of colorectal surgery. These healthcare providers and surgeons are highly skilled and experienced and can provide top-quality care for patients. In fact, India is an excellent choice for medical tourists seeking to undergo any type of colorectal surgery, as the cost of treatment and surgery is significantly lower in India than in most other countries.

Furthermore, the cost of different types of colorectal surgery can differ depending on the type of surgery and the procedures involved. So, if you are looking for an exact quote, please contact our team of professionals. We would be happy to give you a quote based on your individual needs.

What to Do After Colorectal Surgery?

The location and size of a patient's incision after surgery depend on the procedure you had. Anyway, it is very important for patients to take good care of their incisions in order to ensure smooth and speedy healing. Here are some tips on how to care for your incision after the procedure:

  • Keep the area (of incision) clean and dry
  • Apply an antibiotic cream or ointment (as your provider directs)
  • Cover the incision site with a dressing or bandage
  • Change the bandage or dressing on a regular basis
  • Watch carefully for any signs of infection, including swelling, pus, or redness

What to Eat After Colorectal Surgery?

To make sure you are eating foods that won't aggravate your condition, stick to soft, moist foods that are easy to swallow and digest. This includes items like soup, gelatin, pudding, and yoghurt. You must avoid gummy foods such as bread and tough meats, as well as spicy, fried, or gas-producing foods.

Is Colorectal Surgery Safe?

Any surgery, big or small, comes with its fair share of risks. When it comes to colorectal surgery, some of the possible risks include infection, bleeding, blood clots, and damage to nearby organs. While these risks may sound scary, it must be remembered that millions of people have colorectal surgery every year, and most of them go off without a hitch.

As with any surgery, it is important to know the risks and possible complications involved before making a decision. However, when you choose the right team of surgeons, such as the experienced professionals at Pristyn Care, you can greatly reduce your risk of complications.

Is Colorectal Surgery Painful?

For the next few days post-colorectal surgery, you may experience pain that comes and goes. This is something that is absolutely normal and can be anticipated. You may have bowel cramps, and your incision may be sore.You may also feel like you are suffering from the flu, a low fever, fatigue, or nausea. However, most of these problematic symptoms can be easily alleviated with certain medications.

How Long Does It Take to Recover from Colorectal Surgery?

Following your surgery, you may feel better after one or two weeks and should be back to normal within two to four weeks. You may not have regular bowel movements for several weeks after the procedure, and you may also notice some blood in your stools at times. However, it is mostly nothing to be worried about.

What Are the Side Effects of Colorectal Surgery?

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Pain
  • Blood clots
  • Damage to surrounding organs

Note: You can avoid most of the risks associated with different types of thoracic surgery by entrusting experienced doctors and surgeons, such as the medical professionals available at Pristyn Care.

Colorectal Surgery Aftercare:

Drinking only clear liquids (as tolerated) in the first few days after the procedure will help you recover quickly from your surgery. As the days pass and you begin to feel better, you can gradually increase your diet.

Apart from that, using oxygen and an incentive spirometer may help you speed up your recovery process. Taking all medications prescribed for pain management will help control your pain. Furthermore, you may follow the tips given below to speed up the recovery process:

  • Follow all your doctor's instructions
  • Stay away from strenuous activities
  • Do not consume any alcoholic drinks while you are still recovering
  • Strictly avoid consuming any tobacco products (including cigarettes)
  • Eat only healthy food
  • Avoid consuming any kind of junk food
  • Don't stress your body or mind
  • Get ample rest
  • Sleep well
  • Stay positive

Conclusion

Colorectal surgery can range from a simple procedure to remove a polyp to a more complicated procedure to remove a tumor. Regardless, colorectal surgery is a procedure that any patient should take very seriously. The most important thing to do is to contact a surgeon who is well-versed in this procedure.

That said, we know and understand very well that finding a good, trustworthy colorectal surgeon to treat your condition can be a confusing and stressful experience. So, we are here for you!

If you are looking for a trusted surgeon to treat your condition, you can contact us any day, at any time, without any hesitation. We would be more than happy to answer any questions you might have about your condition and further assist you in every way possible!

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Written ByDrx Hina FirdousPhD (Pharmacology) Pursuing, M.Pharma (Pharmacology), B.Pharma - Certificate in Nutrition and Child CarePharmacology
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Reviewed ByDr. Bhupindera Jaswant SinghMD - Consultant PhysicianGeneral Physician
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