Colorectal Surgery

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Surgeons at Physicians Regional Healthcare System offer colon and rectal surgery, including minimally invasive techniques, to treat colorectal conditions. Minimally invasive surgery may offer smaller incisions, less pain and a quicker recovery.

The surgeons work closely with gastroenterologists and other specialists to provide supportive care for conditions such as:

• Colon and rectal cancer
• Diverticular disease
• Benign or precancerous polyps
• Injuries or block in the intestine

The vast majority of colon resections are still performed using an open approach, or a large abdominal incision which often extends from the public bone to just below the sternum. Although very common, these open procedures involve an increased risk of complications, including infection, and require an extended hospital stay and recovery time.

Patients also have some more minimally invasive options available to them, such as conventional laparoscopic surgery where small incisions are used to insert long shafted instruments. These techniques can be very effective, but have inherent limitations when either the procedure or the anatomy is challenging or complex.

Robotic Colectomy

The robotic colectomy is an alternative to traditional open surgery and conventional laparoscopic surgery that allows surgeons to provide patients with the best of both approaches. With the assistance of the a robotic arm surgical system, surgeons can now operate using only 1-2 cm incisions, and with greater precision and control than ever before.

For most patients, robotic colectomies may offer numerous benefits including:

• Better clinical outcomes
• Quicker return to bowel function
• Quicker return to normal diet
• Significantly less pain
• Less blood loss
• Less risk of wound infection
• Shorter hospital stay
• Shorter recovery time

Unless a total abdominal colectomy is required, most patients needing a colectomy are candidates for a robotic colectomy. Even patients who have had prior abdominal surgery may receive a robotic colectomy. Talk to your doctor to determine if you are a candidate.

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