Rectal Operations

By Khan Arbaz
Rectal surgery covers a large number of procedures used
to treat conditions that affect the rectal area and colon.
The disorders that rectal surgery addresses include:

Haemorrhoids
Anal fissures
Fistulas
Rectal prolapse
Colorectal cancer
Types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) such as
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
Procedures that are a type of rectal surgery include:

Colectomy
Colostomy
Endoscopy
Colonoscopy
Haemorrhoidectomy
IBD surgery
Resection
Internal sphincterotomy
Rectopexy
Colectomy:

The removal of some or all of the colon.

Segmental colectomy – the diseased section of the
colon is removed, and the ends of the bowel are then
joined together.
Polypectomy – cancerous polyps are removed using a
colonscope which is inserted into the rectum, and a loop
is passed through the colonscope to remove the polyp.
Total colectomy – the whole colon is removed and a new
pouch is formed and joined to the anus.
Colostomy:

Also known as a stoma, a colostomy is an

opening connecting the colon to the
surface of the abdomen where a stoma is
attached to allow the removal of waste
from the body.
These can either be temporary or
permanent.
Endoscopy:

A tube with a camera at the end is inserted

through a small incision in the abdomen,
allowing the surgeon access to the
abdomen and to perform certain
procedures.
Often an endoscopy is carried out to
remove tumours or to make a diagnosis
Colonoscopy:

A tube with a camera at the end is

inserted through the rectum, and
allows the surgeon to see a camera
image of the colon.
This procedure is usually carried out
for diagnostic purposes.
Haemorrhoidectomy:

Initial treatments for haemorrhoids are

usually non-surgical, however, if these do
not provide sufficient relief, then surgery
will be recommended.
Local anaesthesia is given, and incisions
are made around the anus to remove the
haemorrhoids.
IBD surgery:

If the IBD has caused extreme intestinal

pain that has resulted in hospitalisation,
then surgery may be recommended.
Surgery to remove the colon (colectomy)
can cure ulcerative colitis, and can provide
relief for those suffering from Crohn’s
disease.
Resection:

Broadly, a resection is a procedure

that removes diseased sections of
tissue or organ.
Different resections can treat
colorectal cancer and various
intestinal issues.
Internal sphincterotomy:

Used to treat anal fissures, local anaesthetic is

applied to the area and where small incisions are
made to the sphincter to relieve pressure caused
by the anal fissure.
Sometimes general anaesthetic is required.
This procedure does not cure anal fissures, but
allows the muscles to relax, aiding the healing of
the anal fissure.
Rectopexy:

Used to treat rectal prolapse, the

procedure repositions the
internal structures of the rectum
Thank You