In short
Colorectal surgery covers the colon, rectum and anus — from the common anorectal conditions through to bowel disease requiring major resection. In practice most patients arrive with an anorectal problem; the value of a colorectal specialist is knowing which of those is not what it appears to be.
What the specialty covers
- Anorectal conditions: hemorrhoids, fissures, fistulas, abscesses, pilonidal disease
- Functional problems: chronic constipation, obstructed defecation, incontinence
- Bowel disease: inflammatory bowel disease, diverticular disease
- Colorectal cancer surgery, and screening for those at risk
- Re-do surgery for cases that did not resolve elsewhere
The most important thing a specialist does
Not the operating. The triage. Rectal bleeding is the classic example: the overwhelming majority is hemorrhoids or a fissure, and the small minority that is not is the reason every case gets examined properly rather than treated on assumption.
The same applies to a change in bowel habit, to unexplained weight loss, and to anaemia with no obvious cause.
Previously-operated cases
A significant part of a colorectal practice is people whose first operation did not resolve things — a fistula that recurred, a fissure that never healed, hemorrhoids that came back. These need a fresh assessment rather than a repeat of what was done before, because the reason it failed is usually findable.
Screening, briefly
Colorectal cancer is one of the few cancers that is largely preventable, because it usually develops from polyps that can be removed before they turn. Screening from 45, or earlier with a family history, is the single most useful thing most adults can do about it.
Ask for an appointment promptly if
- There is blood mixed into the stool, or dark blood
- Your bowel habit has changed and stayed changed for more than a few weeks
- You have lost weight without trying
- You feel you cannot fully empty, or have a persistent urge
- You are anaemic with no explanation
- A first-degree relative has had bowel cancer
These are the symptoms that should not wait.
Common questions
- Do I need a colonoscopy?
- Not for every case. It is indicated by your age, symptoms, family history and what the examination shows — for example, bleeding that is not clearly from a visible hemorrhoid or fissure warrants looking further up.
- Can I be seen for a second opinion before deciding on surgery?
- Yes. Second opinions are a normal part of colorectal practice, particularly before major surgery or after a previous operation did not resolve the problem. Bring your scans and reports.
- Do you operate on children?
- This practice focuses on adults. Paediatric colorectal problems are best managed by paediatric surgeons, and referral is arranged where appropriate.
General information only. Anorectal symptoms overlap and only an examination can tell them apart — please do not use this page to diagnose yourself.