Colon & Rectal Surgery
Do you suffer from a condition related to the colon, rectum or anus? The compassionate caregivers at Enloe Health Colorectal Surgery are ready to guide you.
Our state-of-the-art operating suites at Enloe Health allow trusted colorectal surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures with advanced laparoscopic and robotic-assisted operations.
Caregivers can also treat you in the clinic and connect you with physical therapy and wound services to help you on your road to wellness.
Keeping You Well
Your colorectal health is vital. In fact, some conditions can lead to cancer, so it’s important to see a provider regularly and whenever you notice changes in your body. Enloe Health caregivers treat several cancerous diseases, including:
- Colon, rectal and anal cancers
- Polyposis syndromes
- Lynch syndrome
- Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
They also treat non-cancerous issues like:
- Diverticulitis and complications of diverticular disease
- Colon and rectal polyps
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Crohn’s disease
- Rectal prolapse
- Motility disorders of the colon
- Anorectal disease
- Hemorrhoids
- Fissures
- Abscesses/fistulas
- Condyloma
- Pruritus ani (itchy bottom)
- Pilonidal cysts
- Fecal incontinence
- And more
Techniques You Can Trust
Colonoscopies
Enloe Health is committed to the prevention and early detection of cancers of the colon and rectum. Colorectal cancer is the third-most common cancer in the U.S. However, this cancer is treatable and beatable if caught early. Our caregivers follow national screening and surveillance guidelines.
Currently, colonoscopies are recommended for most people starting at age 45. However, if you have a family history of colon or rectal cancer, you may have a colonoscopy starting at age 35. Talk to your provider.
Your physician may also recommend a colonoscopy before age 45 if you have:
- A change in your bowel habits
- Or bleeding indicating a possible problem
Colonoscopies save lives.
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Traditional, open surgery is performed through an incision large enough to:
- Accommodate your surgeon’s hands and instruments
- And allow visualization within the abdominal cavity
Caregivers at Enloe Health Colorectal Surgery are trained in minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. It is performed through much smaller incisions that allow your surgeon to operate with a camera and specialized instruments. What does this mean for you?
- Less pain after surgery
- Faster return of bowel function
- A shorter hospital stay
- Quicker return to normal activity
Although this approach is not appropriate for everyone, many surgeries can be performed this way. Your care team will discuss the best approach for your situation.
Robotic Colorectal Surgery
Sometimes your surgeon may opt to treat your condition through robotic-assisted surgery. This may be the case if you have:
- Colon or rectal cancer
- Diverticulitis
- Rectal prolapse
- Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis)
Using this technique can:
- Reduce your pain after surgery
- Shorten your hospital stay
- And help you get back to your normal activities faster
Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (TEM)
When appropriate, Enloe caregivers can use Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (TEM) to remove rectal tumors. This advanced technique is not done everywhere. In fact, Enloe Health Enloe Medical Center is one of only a few hospitals nationwide that offers TEM.
TEM allows colorectal surgeons to remove large polyps and early rectal cancers without making an incision in the abdomen. This reduces:
- Bleeding
- The risk of infection
- The risk of bowel obstructions after surgery
- Your recovery time
Infrared Coagulation (IRC)
If you suffer from hemorrhoids, the caregivers at Enloe Health Colorectal Surgery can help. They may opt to treat your condition with Infrared Coagulation (IRC). This quick, office-based procedure involves minimal discomfort and no recovery time. In fact, with IRC and other conservative hemorrhoid treatment, many patients can avoid formal hemorrhoid surgery.
