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Understanding Colorectal Surgery

Colorectal surgery is also known as proctology. It involves fixing the damage brought about by issues of the lower gastrointestinal system. These diseases can impact the colon, anus, rectum, pelvic floor, and small intestine. The type of surgery for colon cancer depends on the cancer’s location and size in the bowel. Additionally, colorectal surgery may be necessary for treating injuries or restricted blood flow to the area, known as ischemia.

Before undergoing any colon surgery, it is essential to ensure that the colon is clean and empty. This involves following a special diet and possibly using laxatives or enemas to remove all stools from the colon. This process, called bowel prep, is similar to the preparation needed before a colonoscopy.

Laparoscopic Surgery: Minimally invasive surgery using small incisions and a camera to guide the surgeon.

Robotic Surgery: A minimally invasive technique performed with a few small incisions using a robotic system.

Open Surgery: Traditional surgery with a larger incision to access the rectum.

Colorectal Surgery Treats:

Check IconColon cancer
Check IconGastrointestinal stromal tumours
Check IconDiverticulitis
Check IconAnal cancer
Check IconAppendix cancer
Check IconNeuroendocrine tumours
Check IconRectal Obstruction
Check IconRectal Tumours

Understanding Colorectal Surgery

Colorectal surgery is also known as proctology. It involves fixing the damage brought about by issues of the lower gastrointestinal system. These diseases can impact the colon, anus, rectum, pelvic floor, and small intestine. The type of surgery for colon cancer depends on the cancer’s location and size in the bowel. Additionally, colorectal surgery may be necessary for treating injuries or restricted blood flow to the area, known as ischemia.

Before undergoing any colon surgery, it is essential to ensure that the colon is clean and empty. This involves following a special diet and possibly using laxatives or enemas to remove all stools from the colon. This process, called bowel prep, is similar to the preparation needed before a colonoscopy.

Laparoscopic Surgery: Minimally invasive surgery using small incisions and a camera to guide the surgeon.

Robotic Surgery: A minimally invasive technique performed with a few small incisions using a robotic system.

Open Surgery: Traditional surgery with a larger incision to access the rectum.

Colorectal Surgery Treats:

Check IconColon cancer
Check IconGastrointestinal stromal tumours
Check IconDiverticulitis
Check IconAnal cancer
Check IconAppendix cancer
Check IconNeuroendocrine tumours
Check IconRectal Obstruction
Check IconRectal Tumours  

How Do the Colorectal Procedures Work?

Colorectal surgery involves different types of surgical procedures to address issues in the lower digestive tract. There are three main types of surgeries: open, laparoscopic, and robotic.

Open surgery involves making a single large cut near the tummy button to remove the affected part of the rectum, whereas laparoscopic surgery uses several small cuts in the tummy, and a thin tube with a small camera is inserted to remove the affected area.

Robotic surgery involves a surgical robot with 4 arms, one of which holds the camera and the others hold the surgical instruments. The surgeon controls the robotic arms to perform the operation and remove the cancer. The recovery time from laparoscopic and robotic surgery is typically faster than open surgery. After treating colorectal cancer surgery, the doctor will sew up your cuts so that there will be very little visible scarring.

Treatment At a Glance

Purpose

Purpose

Bowel Cancer and Rectal Cancer
Procedure Duration

Procedure Duration

2-3 Hours
Anaesthesia

Anaesthesia

General

Purpose

Bowel Cancer and Rectal Cancer

Pain

Moderate to severe pain

Procedure Duration

2-3 Hours

Recovery Time

6–8 weeks

Drive

After 2-4 weeks

Anaesthesia

General

Recovery Time

Recovery Time

6–8 weeks
Pain

Pain

Moderate to severe pain
Drive

Drive

After 2-4 weeks

Benefits of Colorectal Surgery

Shorter Hospital Stays

Minimally invasive surgeries typically result in shorter hospital stays due to a quicker recovery.

Less Pain During Recovery

Minimally invasive surgery leads to less postoperative pain compared to traditional open surgery.

Faster Recovery

This surgery leads to a faster recovery, shorter hospital stays, and a quicker return to normal activities.

Better Quality of Life

After recovery, you can expect to enjoy an improved quality of life with a quicker return to regular activities.

Small Incisions

Minimally invasive colorectal surgery involves the use of small incisions, which can result in less visible scarring.

Quicker Return to Normal Diet

After robotic surgery, you may be able to return to your regular diet more quickly than with traditional open surgery.

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Cost of Colorectal Surgery

Consultations start at £200. Please request a callback by filling out the contact form. We look forward to assisting you!

Why Choose Leicester Bowel Clinic?

At Leicester Bowel Clinic, we focus on bowel health and conditions, digestive issues, and cancer care. Our clinic offers minimally invasive procedures for bowel problems, ensuring effective results and patient comfort. We aim to provide personalised care for our patients and offer the latest treatments for hernias, bowel conditions and rectal disorders

Patient Testimonials

Mr Chaudhri is an excellent surgeon I can’t thank him enough for the operations he performed on me after i was diagnosed with bowel cancer, the care he showed me before and after the operations, his friendly nature and reassurance was a great help to me during a stressful time in my life i owe so much to him and i will always be grateful to him and his colleagues .

Written by an NHS patient

Satisfied Client

I’ve been under Mr Chaudhri’s care for around 2 years now and he has always shown me the best, personal care I could ask for.

Written by an NHS patient

Satisfied Client

This doctor spoke to you and made jokes to make you feel at ease. He was also clearly very knowledgable, and his words/advice were comforting and I left feeling uplifted. With regards to the procedure itself, he wasn’t aggressive but nor was he too slow where you had time to consider the slight discomfort; the pace and strength were fine and made for a quick and easy colonoscopy.

Written by an NHS patient

Satisfied Client

Our Locations

Leicester Bowel Clinic at Spire Hospital

  • Wednesdays evenings (Mr Runau) from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm at: Spire Leicester Hospital Gartree Road Leicester LE2 2FF
  • To arrange an appointment directly with the Spire Leicester Hospital, please call the booking line on 0116 2653685

*Free on-site parking is available.

Meet The Team

Sanjay Chaudhri

Mr Sanjay Chaudhri

Francois Runau

Mr Francois Runau

Pippa Powley

Pippa Powley

Rebecca West

Rebecca West

Meet the team

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about Colorectal Surgery

01. What does colorectal surgery do?

Colorectal surgery helps with problems in the lower digestive system. This includes the colon, rectum, and anus. Some conditions that might need surgery are cancer, polyps, pelvic organ prolapse, and inflammatory bowel diseases.

02. How painful is colorectal surgery?

The pain is most intense for the first 48 hours but then gets better. Most patients can start moving around about 24 hours after the surgery.

03. What is removed in colorectal surgery?

In total colectomy, the entire colon is removed. In partial colectomy, only part of the colon is removed. Hemicolectomy involves removing the right or left part of the colon, and proctocolectomy involves removing both the colon and rectum.

04. What is the recovery time for colorectal surgery?

Most patients can go back to their normal activities, including sports, about 6–8 weeks after going home. You should wait until your wound is completely healed before swimming, and avoid lifting heavy things for the first six weeks.

05. Can you eat after colorectal surgery?

After surgery, you’ll start with drinking fluids and then slowly begin to eat. The time it takes for your bowels to recover and for you to start eating again depends on the type of surgery you had and varies from person to person.

06. Is colorectal surgery safe?

Colorectal surgery, like any major operation, has risks. These could be blood clots, bleeding, infection, damage to adjacent organs, or leakage from the joints connecting the remaining sections of the bowels.

07. What are the most common risks of colorectal surgery?

One of the most common problems after colorectal surgery is when your bowel stops working properly, known as an ileus. It causes difficulty in passing food and gas through your intestines. If you do experience an ileus, it typically lasts for two to three days. Other possible risks include fatigue, pain, infection, bleeding, blood clots, problems from general anaesthesia, and damage to nearby organs.

08. Why would you go to colorectal surgeons?

If you have symptoms related to your lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract, you might first see a general physician or a gastroenterologist (a specialist in gastrointestinal diseases). The doctor might refer you to colorectal surgeons if they believe your condition is likely to require surgery. Colorectal conditions that are likely to require surgery include cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), loss of blood supply, and structural defects such as fistulas, hernias, and prolapse.