Colorectal surgery

Colorectal surgery is the surgical management of colorectal conditions, including haemorrhoids, fistula-in-ano, pilonidal disease, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), diverticular disease, and colon and rectal cancer. 

What is colorectal surgery?

The term ‘colorectal’ refers to organs of the lower digestive tract, which includes the colon, rectum, anus, and small intestine.

Colorectal surgery is the surgical management of conditions that occur within these areas, including haemorrhoids, fistula-in-ano, pilonidal disease, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), diverticular disease, and colon and rectal cancer. 

Our colorectal surgery department provides a range of procedures, including laparoscopic colorectal surgery and robotic colorectal surgery.

Our consultant colorectal surgeons are highly experienced in their field and work in multidisciplinary teams which include specialists from our liver, gastroenterology, and oncology departments.

You may be referred to the colorectal surgery department if you have:

  • cancer – including colon and rectal cancer, and anal cancer
  • irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • inflammatory bowel disease
  • haemorrhoids
  • hernias
  • anal fissures and fistulas
  • prolapse
  • diverticular disease
  • pilonidal disease

Cromwell Hospital provides a range of diagnostics tests to help assess colorectal conditions, including:

Colorectal surgery procedures

Within the colorectal surgery department, we provide a broad range of procedures including:

  • endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) – a minimally invasive procedure used to remove abnormal growths (polyps) within the gastrointestinal tract
  • colectomy/anterior resection/abdominoperineal resection – the surgical removal of part of the colon/rectum, usually carried out as a cancer treatment
  • colostomy – a procedure that connects the end of the colon to an opening in the stomach wall, creating a stoma
  • laser ablation/banding of haemorrhoids and haemorrhoidectomy – a procedure to treat haemorrhoids (piles), which are swollen veins in the lower rectum and anus
  • ileostomy – a procedure that connects the end of the small intestine to an opening in the stomach wall, creating a stoma
  • ileoanal anastomosis (J-pouch surgery) – a procedure that allows the normal elimination of waste following the removal of the large intestine
  • sphincterotomy – a procedure used to treat anal fissures, which involves injecting or cutting a small portion of the sphincter muscle to reduce tension in the anal canal and promote healing
  • laser ablation to fistula/fistulotomy/insertion of seton – a procedure used to treat anal fistulas
  • EPSiT procedure – a keyhole procedure to treat pilonidal disease

Procedures may be carried out as an open surgery, laparoscopically (keyhole surgery), or using robotic technology. 

Colorectal cancer can be divided into two main types: colon cancer and rectal cancer. Colon cancer involves cancers of the large bowel, while rectal cancer involves cancers of the rectum (your back passage).

The type of colorectal cancer surgery you have will depend on where your cancer is located and how advanced it is.

Why choose us for colorectal surgery?

Paying for your treatment

We welcome both self-paying and insured patients.

Our locations

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Please note - regrettably we are unable to answer specific medical questions or offer medical advice via email or telephone.