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COLORECTAL SURGERY
Many people do not realize that colon and
rectal surgery is a subspecialty of its own. It has actually
been a recognized specialty of the American Board of Medical
Specialties since 1959, and has been present in one form of
another since 1899.
A colon and rectal surgeon must complete a
full general surgery residency followed by a one year fellowship
specifically in colon and rectal surgery. To be board certified
in colon and rectal surgery, a physician also must be board
certified in general surgery, then take an additional written
and oral exam after fellowship. Both the general surgery and
colon and rectal surgery certifications must be maintained with
periodic exams. An added step beyond board certification is
fellowship in the national society: to be a fellow of the
American College of Surgeons (FACS), or of the American Society
of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (FASCRS) a surgeon must have
practiced for several years and met additional standards set by
those societies, and be recommended by his or her peers.
Colon and rectal surgeons care for a wide
spectrum of diseases across a range of ages. Not only do they
care for diseases of the colon and rectum, but also the small
intestine and anus, and the areas which surround them. Thus
diseases such as Crohn’s disease,
colon and rectal cancer,
hemorrhoids,
anal fissures,
fistula in ano,
ulcerative colitis,
diverticulitis and many,
many others are in their area of expertise. Most colon and
rectal surgeons also practice colonoscopy in addition to
surgical and non-surgical treatment of colorectal problems.
Many general surgeons also take care of
patients with colon and rectal diseases. There are several
reasons for this: these diseases are so common that there are
not enough board certified colon and rectal surgeons across the
country to care for all the patients; most general surgeons do a
very good job of managing these patients; many of the problems
are relatively straightforward and benign and do not require the
additional expertise of a colorectal surgeon. As patients are
becoming increasingly more educated and savvy, however, they are
seeking out subspecialists for their care.
It is becoming clear that, for the treatment of colorectal
cancer, subspecialty training and experience play a significant
role in improving long term survival.
People with problems of the colon, rectum or
anus are often embarrassed to discuss their problems with
friends, family, and even their physicians. This is
understandable but unfortunate. Many people live in misery
for many months and even years when often a simple, painless
medication or minor procedure can solve their problem.
More importantly, it can be difficult for a lay person to
distinguish between symptoms caused by benign or malignant
diseases. For this reason you owe it to yourself to seek
care as soon as possible if you experience rectal bleeding,
pain, or a change in bowel habits (constipation, diarrhea,
change in size or frequency of bowel movements).
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Dennis G. Begos, M.D., F.A.C.S.,
F.A.S.C.R.S.
General and Colorectal Surgery
Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery
POSTOPERATIVE PATIENT INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOW
DOWNLOADABLE - HERE
New treatment options for hemorrhoids
New technologies exist to treat hemorrhoids with
significantly less pain than standard excisional
hemorrhoidectomy. One of the most studied and
established of these new techniques is PPH, or stapled
hemorrhoidectomy. It is a safe, outpatient procedure
where both internal and external hemorrhoids are
effectively treated without any incisions on the
outside.
Learn more
on the PPH hemorrhoidectomy technique.
Dr. Begos has been performing this procedure since
2001, and is involved in teaching this technique to
other surgeons.
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