Colorectal Surgery

What is colorectal surgery?

Illustration of large intestine, cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, rectum, and anus.

Colorectal surgery may be performed on the colon, rectum and anus to treat a variety of conditions.

The colon is the longest part of the large intestine and the rectum is the passageway connecting the colon to the anus.

How it works

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is the most commonly used procedure in colorectal surgery. It includes both laparoscopic (keyhole) and robotic surgery.

During MIS, your surgeon will:

  • Make 3 – 4 tiny buttonhole incisions on your abdomen
  • Insert laparoscopic instruments and use advanced imaging guidance to treat your condition.

After the procedure, your surgeon will stitch up your incisions, leaving minimal visible scarring.

If you are not suitable for MIS, your doctor may recommend open surgery instead.

Why do you need colorectal surgery?

Colorectal surgery can be used to treat benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) conditions.

Your doctor may recommend colorectal surgery if you have:

  • Incontinence
  • Polyps (non-cancerous growths)
  • Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
  • Anal conditions such as haemorrhoids (piles), anal fistulas and fissures.

Who should not undergo minimally invasive colorectal surgery?

Minimally invasive colorectal surgery may not be suitable if you have:

  • Had abdominal surgeries before
  • Very large lesions (tissue damage)
  • Severe cardio-respiratory (heart and lung) conditions

Depending on your condition, your doctor may recommend open surgery instead.

What are the risks and complications of colorectal surgery?

Your risk of complications depends on your general health and the type of surgery performed. Like other major surgeries, colorectal surgery is associated with the following risks:

  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Blood clots
  • Complications from general anaesthesia
  • Damage to nearby organs

In the hands of an experienced surgeon, these complications are rare.

This page has been reviewed by our medical content reviewers.

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