COLONOSCOPY
The American Cancer Society estimated that over 100,000 people will be diagnosed with colon cancer just this year in the United States. When diagnosed and treated early, the cure rate is better than 90%.
Colonoscopy is a test that allows your doctor to see your entire colon and look for signs of cancer or pre-cancer such as polyps. If a polyp is found, your doctor can remove the lesion which reduces your risk of developing colorectal cancer.
This procedure is the best way for the early detection of cancer. Most often, the procedure is simple and routine; lasting around 30 minutes. You will be sedated and made comfortable; most people don’t even remember the procedure once they are fully awake.
What are the signs and symptoms of colon cancer?
- Change in bowel habits
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Blood in the stool
- Narrow stools
- Anemia
- Bloating, fullness, or abdominal cramps
- Feeling like the bowel does not empty completely
- Unexplained weight loss
- Excessive fatigue
The survival rates for colon and rectal cancer are growing higher every year because of live-saving tests like colonoscopy and early detection.
HEMORRHOIDECTOMY
Hemorrhoids are vascular cushions that line the internal and external anal canal. A person may develop internal or external hemorrhoid disease. Internal hemorrhoid disease can present with painless bleeding or prolapse, or protrusion, of the internal hemorrhoids through the anal canal. External hemorrhoid disease can present with pain and swelling around the anal canal.
The causes of hemorrhoids can range from straining while passing stool caused by constipation or diarrhea, which can put pressure on vascular cushions that can cause hemorrhoidal disease. Also, pregnancy and being overweight can cause additional strain on the pelvic region cause hemorrhoidal disease.
The most common symptoms of hemorrhoids are:
- Bright red bleeding during bowel movement
- Itching, and
- Rectal pain
A typical treatment of hemorrhoids is hemorrhoidectomy. Hemorrhoidectomy is an effective outpatient procedure during which your physician will remove internal or external hemorrhoids through small incisions around the rectum or anus – depending on where the hemorrhoids are located.
There are two kinds of hemorrhoidectomy:
- Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids (PPH): During this procedure, your physician will reposition the hemorrhoids and cut off their blood supply with a special tool, causing them to dry up and fall away. The hemorrhoids are repositioned to a place in the rectum with fewer nerve ending allowing for less pain and a faster recovery than other hemorrhoidectomy procedures.
- Hemorrhoid Artery Ligation and Recto Anal Repair: This procedure involves your physician using a small Doppler sensor inserted into the anus to detect the arteries that are supplying blood flow to the hemorrhoids. Your surgeon can tie them off to stop blood flow and cause the hemorrhoid to dry up and fall off.
Hemorrhoid surgery is conventional and considered safe. However, there are few risks which patients should be aware of, including bleeding, infection, and adverse reaction to anesthesia.
FISTULOTOMY
A fissure is an abnormal opening in the muscle or tissue between two parts of the body. Fistulas occur between the intestine and another organ or part of the body – some examples include fistulas between the intestine or colon and vagina the rectum, or the anus or anal canal and surrounding tissue. Additionally, fistulas can occur between the bladder and uterus, bladder and vagina, and urethra and vagina. Left untreated, fistulas can cause permanent damage to the surrounding tissue and may become infected.
Symptoms of fistulas include:
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Diarrhea or stomach pains
- Urine or bowel leakage from the vagina
- Infection or irritation of the urethra or vagina, such as recurring or frequent urinary tract infections
Fistulotomy is an outpatient surgical procedure during which your physician opens the area around the fistula. When the area is opened it allows the fistula to drain and then heal on its own. Your physician may add gauze or packing to the fistula to absorb any fluid or remaining infection, or to limit the likelihood of a recurring infection returning after the fistulotomy. Depending on the location of the fistula, you may pass or remove the packing yourself or you may have to return to your physician’s office to have the packing removed.
You will be able to go home the same day as your procedure. Most people have very little pain or discomfort after surgery, and are able to return to a normal lifestyle within one to two weeks.
FISSURECTOMY
Fissures are opening or tears in the lining of the lower rectum, and can cause pain during and after a bowel movement. Fissures are usually caused by constipation, passing large stool, severe diarrhea, and child birth. Severe or long-lasting fissures may require surgery.
Symptoms of fissures include:
- Bleeding after a bowel movement
- Pain during and after a bowel movement
- Discharge or signs of infection around the anus or lower rectum
- Itching or anal muscle spasms
What to expect when treatment requires surgery:
Fissurectomy is an outpatient procedure done under general anesthesia. During a fissurectomy, the muscles associated with the fissure in the lower rectum and sphincter are cut. This procedure will provide immediate relief and usually heals without complications. However, reoccurrence of fissures is likely.
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