What Is a Colorectal Surgeon?

Home » What Is a Colorectal Surgeon? » Overview

Overview

Colorectal surgeons, also called colon and rectal surgeons or proctologists, are physicians who specialize in the medical and surgical treatment of conditions that affect the lower digestive tract (i.e., the large intestine). Colorectal surgeons undergo extensive education and advanced training. They have comprehensive knowledge about general surgery and in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the colon, rectum, and anus.

Colorectal surgeons specialize in the preoperative, operative, and postoperative care of patients with colorectal disorders. Conditions treated by colon and rectal surgeons include the following:

• Anal abscess, anal fistula, and anal fissure
• Bowel incontinence
• Colorectal cancer (e.g., colon cancer, rectal cancer, anal cancer)
• Colorectal polyps
• Diverticular disease (e.g., diverticulitis)
• Hemorrhoids
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; e.g., Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Pelvic floor dysfunction
• Rectal prolapse (rectocele, proctocele)

Colorectal surgeons perform a number of screening and diagnostic tests, including ultrasound, colonoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, and flexible sigmoidoscopy. They also perform surgical procedures, such as open and laparoscopic colorectal surgery (e.g., colon resection, colectomy, polypectomy) and ostomy (e.g., colostomy, ileostomy).

Colorectal surgeons provide patient care as part of a health care team. They work with nurses and other medical professionals (e.g., genetic counselors), as well as with other physicians (e.g., internists, general practitioners, radiologists, anesthesiologists, pathologists, gastroenterologists). Colorectal surgeons usually work in hospitals or surgical centers.

© 1998-2009 Healthcommunities.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

What Is a Colorectal Surgeon? Resources

	Join Our Forum Do you have a question, want to share medical advice, or just need to discuss your situation with someone else having a similar experience? The healthchannels forum is a resource for everyone to share and discuss their health and medical needs with others.	Advertising Disclaimer
	Living with...Share your story Do you have a personal health story that you would like to share with others? As a source of free patient education, our goal is to provide our users with trustworthy information and support from others. That's why we've started our "Living with..." sections.
	Our "Living With..." support pages are a place to share experiences about living with a certain condition, disease, disorder, or illness and for loved ones of those dealing with health-related issues. Many people, especially when newly diagnosed, find comfort in knowing that others are having a similar experience. Help others by sharing your story. View stories already submitted.
	Stay Updated Sign up for our newsletter and receive important updates on the medical conditions that are most important to you.
To quickly access health information from your website's browser, download Healthcommunities.com's healthchannels toolbar. Advertising Disclaimer