Colorectal surgery is the use of surgical procedures for the diagnosis and/or treatment of disorders and abnormalities of the anus, rectum, and colon. These disorders can include cancer, fecal incontinence, and hemorrhoids.

Dr. Bhushan Chittawadgi is one of the best gastroenterologists in Bangalore and a colorectal surgeon who offers a range of treatment options for all types of surgeries related to Colorectal Cancer. Dr. Bhushan specializes in diagnosing and treating colon and rectal diseases.

Who is at risk for colorectal cancer?

Every one of us is at risk for colorectal cancer. Although the exact cause for the development of precancerous colon polyps that lead to colorectal cancer is not known, some factors increase a person’s risk of developing colorectal polyps and cancer. These risk factors include:

  • Age: The risk of developing colorectal polyps and cancer increases as we age. Colorectal cancer is more common in people over the age of 50, however, younger adults can also develop colorectal cancer.
  • Other medical conditions: Medical conditions (type 2 diabetes, previous history of cancer, history of inflammatory bowel disease) and inherited conditions (Lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis) can increase your chances of developing colorectal cancer.
  • Lifestyle factors: You may be at increased risk for developing colorectal cancer if you drink alcohol, use tobacco, don’t get enough exercise, and/or if you are overweight. Smoking increases the risk of precancerous polyps and colorectal cancer.

Conditions Dr. Bhushan Treat with Colorectal Surgery:

Our expert physicians treat the spectrum of colorectal illnesses, such as:

  • Anal cancer
  • Anal conditions such as fissures, fistula, and hemorrhoids
  • Colorectal cancer and polyps (benign growths that can become cancerous)
  • Diverticular disease is a common condition that causes small pouches (diverticula) to form in weak areas of the colon, which can become infected or inflamed
  • Fecal incontinence
  • Inflammatory bowel disease, which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
  • Rectal prolapse is a condition that occurs when part of the rectal lining protrudes outside the body

Various Colorectal Surgery Techniques:

There are several ways colorectal surgery may be performed. Below is an overview of the techniques most often used, and in which situations.

  •  Laparoscopic Surgery: This is the most common method for colorectal surgery and the one preferred by many healthcare providers. It requires only one incision in most cases, and most of the surgery is done with minimally invasive tools including a camera and surgical instruments operated remotely by the surgeon. Laparoscopic surgery takes longer than traditional, open procedures, but evidence has shown that this option provides better recovery and fewer postoperative complications. This option isn’t for everyone, though. People who have other organ involvement—like adhesions that spread to neighboring organs—or who have had multiple abdominal surgeries already are not usually candidates for laparoscopic surgery.
  • Robotic Surgery: Robotic surgery is another minimally-invasive option. Robotic surgery and laparoscopic surgery have a lot in common, with both using cameras and surgical tools through single or minimal incisions. This option also provides improved healing and reduced complications after surgery, in most cases. Robotic surgery offers a bit more precision than laparoscopic surgery though, providing the surgeon with a clearer, more detailed view of the surgical area, and more control of the surgical tools.
  • Open surgery: Open surgery is usually performed when minimally invasive techniques won’t work. This could happen when there is too much damage or too large of an area to repair with laparoscopic or robotic surgery. When the surgeon needs to see a larger area to complete the procedure.

Causes of Colorectal disorders:

  • Smoking
  • Environmental factors, such as diet
  • Microbial and immunologic factors
  • Family history of Crohn’s disease

Symptoms of Colorectal disorders:

Colon Cancer may show up with the following early symptoms. If you’re experiencing the below symptoms, make an appointment with Dr. Bhushan Chittawadgi, an expert Colorectal surgeon in Bangalore.

  • Discomfort or pain in your abdomen
  • Gas and abdominal bloating
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Vomiting

If you observe blood in your stool, contact your doctor immediately. Other signs of a potentially critical condition include fever and sudden weight loss.

Types of Colorectal diseases:

  • Functional Colorectal Diseases Functional disorders are those in which the GI tract looks normal but works poorly. These are the most common problems affecting the GI tract, including the colon and rectum.
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disease in which the colon muscle contracts more often than in people without IBS. Specific foods, medications, and stress are some factors that can trigger IBS.
  • Structural Colorectal Disorders Structural disorders are conditions in which the bowel appears abnormal and works incorrectly. If the condition worsens, Dr. Bhushan Chittawadgi, a proficient surgical gastroenterologist in Bangalore, can remove the abnormality surgically.
  • Hemorrhoids are inflamed and enlarged blood vessels in the lining of the anal opening. The chronic excess pressure from stretching during a bowel movement, persistent diarrhea, or pregnancy may cause hemorrhoids.
  • Anal fissures are cracks or gaps in the lining of the anal opening. The common cause of an anal fissure is the passage of very hard or watery stools. It is a painful condition as the exposed muscles get irritated on exposure to stool or air, causing intense burning pain, bleeding, or spasms after bowel movements.
  • Diverticular disease Diverticulosis is the formation of small outpouchings (diverticula) in the muscular wall of the large intestine. They usually appear in the sigmoid colon, the high-pressure region of the lower large intestine.
  • Colon polyps and cancer A colon polyp is a small cluster or mass of cells formed on the lining of the colon. Most colon polyps are naïve, but some can develop into fatal colon cancer. They are of two types, non-neoplastic and neoplastic.

Diagnosis of Colorectal Disorders:

Nearly all colorectal cancers begin as polyps, benign growths in the colon, and the rectum’s tissue lining. Cancer occurs when these polyps grow and abnormal cells expand, invading the surrounding tissue. Removal of polyps can stop the spread of colorectal cancer.

It is possible to remove most non-cancerous polyps painlessly using a colonoscope, a lighted, flexible tube. Dr. Bhushan Chittawadgi, a surgical gastroenterologist in Bangalore, is well-versed in this modality.

Colorectal cancer can grow throughout the body if not detected in the initial stage. Most early forms of colorectal cancer don’t show symptoms, which makes screening particularly important.

When symptoms do occur, cancer might already be quite advanced. More advanced cancer needs more complex surgical techniques.

Hence, Dr. Bhushan, an expert colorectal surgeon in Bangalore, recommends early screening methods for Colorectal Cancer, as it can help cure it in the initial stages.

  • Blood tests
  • Diagnosis of Stool
  • Rome criteria: The Rome process and Rome criteria are an international effort to create scientific data to help diagnose and treat functional gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia, and rumination syndrome.
  • Computed Tomography (CT) scans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
  • Endoscopy
  • Biopsy of the small intestine

Talk To Dr. Bhushan Chittawadgi:

Dr. Bhushan Chittawadgi is a consultant and an Advanced Laparoscopic, Gastro, and GI Cancer Surgeon practicing at Hosmat Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka. He has more than 18 years of experience in the field of Laparoscopic GI & HPB Surgery making him one of the best laparoscopic surgeons in Bengaluru, Karnataka. He is specialized in Laparoscopic hernia surgery, Gall bladder stone, Obesity, liver and pancreas diseases, GI surgery, Piles, and Breast & Thyroid diseases.

If you are looking for the best colorectal surgeon in Bangalore call us at +91 89407 70990 or book an online appointment here.