Colorectal surgery

Colorectal surgery is a field of medicine that deals with disorders of the rectum, anus, and colon. Physicians specializing in this field of medicine are called colorectal surgeons. In the United States, to become a colorectal surgeon, one must complete a general surgery residency, as well as a colorectal surgery fellowship, upon which they are eligible to be certified in their field of expertise by the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery or the American Osteopathic Board of Proctology.

Scope of the specialty
Colorectal surgical disorders include:
 * Hemorrhoids
 * Anal fissures
 * Fistulas
 * Severe constipation conditions
 * Fecal incontinence
 * Rectal prolapse
 * Birth defects, such as imperforate anus
 * Crohn's disease
 * Repositioning of the rectal area if fallen out
 * Anal cancer
 * Any injury to the anus
 * Removal of objects inserted into the anus

Surgical treatment and diagnostic procedures
Surgical forms of treatment for these conditions include:colectomy, colostomy, polypectomy, strictureplasty, hemorrhoidectomy, anoplasty, and more depending on the condition that patient suffers from. Diagnostic procedures, such as a colonoscopy, are very important in colorectal surgery, as they can tell the physician what type of diagnosis should be given and what procedure should be done to correct the condition. Other diagnostic procedures used by colorectal surgeons include: proctoscopy, defecography, and sigmoidoscopy. In recent times, the laparoscopic method of surgery has seen a surge of popularity due to its lower risks, decreased recovery time, and smaller, more precise incisions achieved by using laparoscopic instruments.