Coloproctology is the branch of medicine and surgery that studies the large intestine: the colon, the rectum and the anus. In the United States it is known as colon and rectal surgery; in Mexico and much of Europe, as coloproctology.
The organs it covers
- Colon: the last five feet of the digestive tract, where water is absorbed and stool is formed.
- Rectum: the final six inches, which store stool until it is time to go.
- Anus: the canal and the sphincter muscles that give you control.
Coloproctologist or gastroenterologist?
The two overlap, and they often work together. The gastroenterologist is an internist who treats the whole digestive tract, including the stomach, liver and pancreas, mainly with medication and endoscopy. The coloproctologist is a surgeon focused on the colon, rectum and anus who also operates. Anorectal problems such as hemorrhoids, fissures and fistulas belong squarely to the coloproctologist.
Studies and procedures
- Anoscopy and rectosigmoidoscopy in the office.
- Colonoscopy with polyp removal.
- Office procedures: rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, abscess drainage.
- Anorectal surgery: hemorrhoids, fissure, fistula, prolapse.
- Laparoscopic surgery of the colon and rectum.
Why the specialty matters
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers and one of the most preventable. Hemorrhoidal disease affects a large share of adults at some point in life. These are everyday problems, and having a specialist for them shortens the path between the symptom and the solution.