The lower part of the digestive tract is made of the colon, the rectum, anal canal and the anus at the very end. A variety of conditions affect this area including tumors, infections, physical trauma and congenital diseases among others. Although some colorectal illnesses may be treated with drugs, the mainstay treatment for most of them is surgical. These are some of the concepts on colon and rectal surgery Long Island patients may find useful.
One of the common conditions in the colorectal region is called hemorrhoids. Sometimes, blood vessels in the rectum may get swollen without any reason at all. However, certain factors may predispose one to getting hemorrhoids. Prolonged straining on defecation is one these factors. This is usually as a result of low fiber diet. Pregnancy, obesity and anal sex are additional risk factors.
The primary treatment for hemorrhoids is medical since most of them present early when symptoms are still mild. The doctor will prescribe stool softeners to facilitate easy stool passage. Soaking the anal area in warm salty water for a certain period of time also helps a great deal in restoring normal function. It goes without saying that drinking adequate amounts of water and high fiber diet will help in alleviating constipation. When these measures fail, surgery has to be considered.
General anaesthesia is not necessarily needed when removing hemorrhoids for an outpatient case. One of the techniques used in the outpatient center is what is termed rubber band ligation. In this case, the swollen part of the vessel gets ligated using a rubber band which compresses the area for a period of time.
The other choice is what is referred to as sclerotherapy and coagulation. Sclerotherapy uses chemicals injected directly into the affected vessel, causing it to shrink. Coagulation mostly uses laser directed to the hemorrhoid. Although hemorrhoids have a tendency to recur with these procedures, they are usually more convenient for the patient.
Hemorrhoid surgery, also called hemorrhoidectomy is indicated when the swellings are too large or if the other options fail. The surgery is usually done under general anaesthesia, although local and regional forms can be considered. The advantage of surgical removal is that it reduces the chances of recurrence to almost zero. Unfortunately, it has more complications including urine incontinence and infections of the urinary tract.
Colorectal surgery is also indicated for patients with cancer involving the colon and rectum in a procedure technically referred to as resection and anastomosis. In this process, the abnormal tissue is cut off and the normal parts put together again. When the sphincters that control defecation are also affected with cancer, they also have to be done away with. In this case, the patient has to be counselled on the fact that they will have to use a colostomy bag for the rest of their life.
The patient needs to be informed about the risks involved in colorectal surgery before the procedure is performed. If under general anaesthesia, the patient is at risk of aspiration, the heart and vessels may also collapse if not closely monitored and healthy structures may get injured in the process of operation. Regardless, the benefits are often more than the risks.
One of the common conditions in the colorectal region is called hemorrhoids. Sometimes, blood vessels in the rectum may get swollen without any reason at all. However, certain factors may predispose one to getting hemorrhoids. Prolonged straining on defecation is one these factors. This is usually as a result of low fiber diet. Pregnancy, obesity and anal sex are additional risk factors.
The primary treatment for hemorrhoids is medical since most of them present early when symptoms are still mild. The doctor will prescribe stool softeners to facilitate easy stool passage. Soaking the anal area in warm salty water for a certain period of time also helps a great deal in restoring normal function. It goes without saying that drinking adequate amounts of water and high fiber diet will help in alleviating constipation. When these measures fail, surgery has to be considered.
General anaesthesia is not necessarily needed when removing hemorrhoids for an outpatient case. One of the techniques used in the outpatient center is what is termed rubber band ligation. In this case, the swollen part of the vessel gets ligated using a rubber band which compresses the area for a period of time.
The other choice is what is referred to as sclerotherapy and coagulation. Sclerotherapy uses chemicals injected directly into the affected vessel, causing it to shrink. Coagulation mostly uses laser directed to the hemorrhoid. Although hemorrhoids have a tendency to recur with these procedures, they are usually more convenient for the patient.
Hemorrhoid surgery, also called hemorrhoidectomy is indicated when the swellings are too large or if the other options fail. The surgery is usually done under general anaesthesia, although local and regional forms can be considered. The advantage of surgical removal is that it reduces the chances of recurrence to almost zero. Unfortunately, it has more complications including urine incontinence and infections of the urinary tract.
Colorectal surgery is also indicated for patients with cancer involving the colon and rectum in a procedure technically referred to as resection and anastomosis. In this process, the abnormal tissue is cut off and the normal parts put together again. When the sphincters that control defecation are also affected with cancer, they also have to be done away with. In this case, the patient has to be counselled on the fact that they will have to use a colostomy bag for the rest of their life.
The patient needs to be informed about the risks involved in colorectal surgery before the procedure is performed. If under general anaesthesia, the patient is at risk of aspiration, the heart and vessels may also collapse if not closely monitored and healthy structures may get injured in the process of operation. Regardless, the benefits are often more than the risks.
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