Colorectal Surgery
Advanced Surgical Treatment of Colon and Rectal Diseases
What is Colorectal Surgery?
Who Needs It?
Colorectal surgery may be applied in the following conditions:
- Patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (colon and rectal cancer)
- Patients with recurrent diverticulitis attacks or developing complications
- Drug-resistant inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's, Ulcerative Colitis)
- Advanced stage hemorrhoid disease - Grade 3-4
- Intestinal obstruction or volvulus (torsion)
- Large or dysplastic colon polyps
- Rectovaginal fistula or perianal abscess complications
- Hereditary diseases such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
Surgical Methods
Modern techniques used in colorectal surgery include:
Hemicolectomy (Colon Resection)
In colon cancer, the section containing the tumor and lymph nodes are removed. Can be applied as right hemicolectomy (cecum and ascending colon) or left hemicolectomy (descending colon). Performed laparoscopically or open.
- ✓Curative treatment in early-stage cancers
- ✓Oncologic safety - adequate surgical margins
- ✓Faster recovery with laparoscopic method
- ✓Similar survival rates to open surgery
Rectal Resection (Anterior/Abdominoperineal)
Surgery applied in rectal cancer. Anterior resection preserves sphincter if tumor is far from anus. Abdominoperineal resection requires permanent colostomy for very low tumors. Applied after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.
- ✓90% sphincter preservation rate with modern techniques
- ✓Total mesorectal excision (TME) technique used
- ✓Tumor reduction with preoperative chemoradiotherapy
- ✓Precise dissection with laparoscopic/robotic methods
Hemorrhoid Surgery (Hemorrhoidectomy/PPH)
Advanced stage hemorrhoid treatment. Conventional hemorrhoidectomy (Milligan-Morgan) or stapled hemorrhoidopexy (PPH) methods applied.
- ✓Provides permanent treatment
- ✓PPH method less painful
- ✓More comprehensive treatment with conventional method
- ✓1-2 days hospital stay
Expected Results
Benefits that can be obtained with colorectal surgery:
- 80-90% 5-year survival in early-stage colorectal cancer
- 3-5 days hospital stay in laparoscopic surgery
- Return to normal activities within 2-4 weeks after surgery
- Sphincter-preserving techniques used wherever the tumour location allows
- 90% reduction in recurrence risk after diverticulitis surgery
- Over 95% long-term success in hemorrhoid surgery
This information is for general informational purposes and does not replace medical advice. Always consult your specialist doctor for your personal health condition. Surgery results vary from patient to patient.
Recovery Process
Hospital Stay (3-7 Days)
Intensive care monitoring may occur in first 24 hours. Oral feeding begins after bowel movements start. Pain control performed. Early mobilization recommended.
First Week
Soft food diet. Avoid heavy lifting. Wound care. Daily short walks. Regular medication use.
First Month
Diet expansion. Light exercises. Pathology results evaluated at follow-up. Oncology consultation if necessary.
Long-term Follow-up
Regular colonoscopy follow-up in cancer patients (every 1-3 years). Diet and lifestyle adjustments. Stoma care training for patients with colostomy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is colon cancer surgery performed?
In colon cancer surgery, the intestinal segment containing the tumor and regional lymph nodes are removed (hemicolectomy, sigmoid resection). Open or laparoscopic method can be used. Temporary colostomy (stool bag) may be required after surgery, but it is not permanent in most patients. Curative in early-stage cancers, palliative (symptom-relieving) in advanced stages. Combined with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
What are the advantages of laparoscopic colorectal surgery?
Laparoscopic colorectal surgery is performed through small incisions in the abdominal wall. Advantages: Less pain, faster recovery and discharge, better cosmetic result, lower infection risk, faster return of bowel functions. Provides similar survival rates to open surgery oncologically. May not be suitable for every patient; decision is made based on tumor size, location, and metastasis status.
Is colostomy permanent after surgery?
Colostomy (placement of stool bag on abdominal wall) is usually temporary. Especially in rectal surgeries, colostomy may be applied for 2-3 months for anastomosis (intestinal connection) healing, then closed. Permanent colostomy is only required in very low rectal tumors (very close to anus) or anal sphincter function loss. Modern techniques prefer sphincter-preserving surgeries, reducing permanent colostomy rate to below 10%.
How long does hemorrhoid surgery take?
Hemorrhoid surgery (hemorrhoidectomy) usually takes 30-60 minutes. Two main methods: 1) Conventional hemorrhoidectomy (Milligan-Morgan): Hemorrhoid packets are cut and removed. Provides more comprehensive treatment but painful healing. 2) Stapled hemorrhoidopexy (PPH): Prolapsed mucosa pulled and hemorrhoid blood flow reduced with stapler device. Less painful but may not be suitable for all cases. 1-2 days hospital stay after surgery, 2-3 weeks recovery.
When is diverticulitis surgery necessary?
Diverticulitis surgery recommended in: 1) Recurrent attacks (2-3 times or more), 2) Complications (abscess, fistula, perforation, obstruction), 3) Immunosuppressed patients (young patients, weakened immune system). Surgery performed as sigmoid colectomy (removal of sigmoid colon). Laparoscopic method preferred. Diverticulitis recurrence risk reduces by 90% after surgery. Elective (planned) surgery safer than emergency surgery.
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