Colorectal Surgery
At Yale Medicine, our colorectal surgery team specializes in surgical care for conditions affecting the lower gastrointestinal tract which includes your colon, rectum, and anus. We treat a complete array of conditions that range from non-cancerous (benign) disorders to cancerous (malignant) diseases, and they can involve surgical and non-surgical treatments.
Expert physicians may also perform routine screening procedures, such as colonoscopies, to detect colon and rectal abnormalities, including cancer at an early stage. They work closely with gastroenterologists, oncologists, and other specialists to provide comprehensive care for patients with diseases affecting the lower digestive tract.
Our Services
Specialized care is offered in the following areas:
- Colon and Rectal Cancer: Surgical removal of tumors in the colon and rectum.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, which may require surgery to remove diseased portions of the intestinal tract.
- Diverticulitis: Inflammation or infection of small pouches that can form in the intestinal wall, sometimes requiring surgical intervention.
- Hemorrhoids: Swollen blood vessels in and around the anus and lower rectum that can cause discomfort and bleeding.
- Anal Fissures: Small tears in the lining of the anus that can cause pain and bleeding.
- Anal Fistulas and Abscesses: Infections in the anal gland that can form an abscess and may lead to an abnormal channel (fistula) between the inside of the anus and the skin.
- Rectal Prolapse: When part of the rectum protrudes from the anus.
- Fecal Incontinence: Inability to control bowel movements, which may be improved with surgery.
- Bowel Obstruction: Blockages in the colon or rectum that may require surgery to remove the obstruction.
- Polyps: Abnormal growths in the colon or rectum that can be benign or precancerous and are often removed to prevent cancer.
- Ostomy Surgery: Procedures that create an opening (stoma) for the body to eliminate waste, such as a colostomy or ileostomy, which may be temporary or permanent.
- Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: Disorders affecting the coordination of pelvic floor muscles and rectum, which may involve surgical repair.
- Colon and Rectal Trauma: Injury to the colon or rectum that requires surgical intervention to repair.
- Pilonidal Disease: A chronic skin infection in the crease of the buttocks near the coccyx.