Fast track your treatment
To book an appointment or speak with one of our friendly team, please get in touch using the options below
Colorectal surgery is the field of medicine that deals with repairing damage caused by colorectal diseases.
Surgery can be necessary due to a variety of health problems along the gastrointestinal tract, in your rectum, anus and colon. Colorectal surgery may also be required in cases of injury or ischemia. An ischemia is when your blood flow is restricted or limited in an area of your body.
The NHS states it may also be needed when blockages prevent normal functions from taking place. Tumours, scarring and other tissues can obstruct the bowel, meaning that waste builds up in the intestines.
Bowel cancer is sadly a common colorectal disease, especially amongst older people. According to Bowel Research UK, there are around 42,300 new bowel cancer cases in the UK every year.
Colorectal diseases can cause a great amount of discomfort, and although medications can help, sometimes surgery is necessary to improve these painful conditions. Types of colorectal surgery and the amount of time you will spend in hospital vary greatly from person to person. Your Consultant will be on hand to discuss your tailored treatment plan with you.
We are proud to facilitate Consultant colorectal surgeons who can test, diagnose, and treat or manage your symptoms to help you make a good recovery and improve your quality of life.
For certain intestinal disorders, colorectal surgery is the only treatment that will improve or relieve symptoms caused by conditions, such as:
- Colon cancer or rectal cancer;
- Ulcerative colitis;
- Crohn’s disease and
- Diverticulitis.
Other conditions where surgery might be recommended, but to a lesser extent, are:
- Haemorrhoids;
- Anal fissures;
- Rectal prolapse and
- Bowel incontinence.
Colorectal surgery at our hospitals will be carried out by our multidisciplinary team, comprising dedicated Consultants, nurses, colorectal specialists, gastroenterologists, urologists, dieticians and more.
Our team will strive to reduce your symptoms through effective surgery and facilitate a quick recovery.
Haemorrhoidectomy (piles) surgery
A haemorrhoidectomy is usually performed under a general anaesthetic and takes about twenty minutes. Your surgeon will remove your haemorrhoids by either cutting them away or using a staple gun. They will also make sure that the blood vessels that supplied the haemorrhoids have stopped bleeding.
Anal fistula surgery
Surgery for anal fistula is usually performed under a general anaesthetic. The operation usually takes between a quarter of an hour and half an hour. To lessen the risk of bowel incontinence (when you pass a motion without wanting to) your treatment may involve several operations over the course of a few months, and the exact type of surgery you need will depend on where the fistula is.
Surgery for rectal prolapse
There are several operations that could be carried out for rectal prolapse. The choices available depend on the individual patient, the type of prolapse and the patient’s general health. The approach could be abdominal surgery (either open or keyhole), or it could go through the perineum (from below). This surgery usually involves a general anaesthesia, and the average hospital stay could be anything between 24 hours and 1 week.
Abdominal surgery for Crohn’s disease
Medication can help with Crohn’s disease, but if it does not reduce inflammation enough, then surgery may be suggested to manage painful symptoms. The operation is performed under a general anaesthetic and usually takes an hour to 90 minutes. Your surgeon will make a cut on your abdomen and remove the diseased part of your small bowel. They will often need to also remove a part of your large bowel, and your surgeon will usually join the ends of your bowel back together – although sometimes this is not possible.
Booking your colorectal surgery with us differs depending on your condition and recommended treatment option.
To get started, you can book a consultation online with one of our many experienced colorectal Consultants. This is a simple and fast process.
To familiarise yourself with the many treatment options for colorectal issues that we offer, you can read our informative, in-depth treatment pages. This could help you to decide which treatment option might suit you best.
If you would like to get in touch with a colorectal Consultant near you, you can find a Consultant local to you through our website.
At your consultation, you will likely receive important diagnostic testing and discuss the right treatment option for you with your Consultant.
