Coloproctology and Colorectal Surgery

The surgical specialism of coloproctology (colorectal surgery) deals with the study, diagnosis, and treatment of problems of the colon, rectum, and anus. Proctology is another name for the field, however it is now only used sparingly within medicine to refer to activities involving the anus and rectum in particular. [more clarification is required] Proctology comes from the Greek terms proktos, which means "anus" or "hindparts," and -logia, which means "science" or "research." Colorectal surgeons or proctologists are doctors who specialize in this branch of medicine. Colectomy, ileo/colostomy, polypectomy, strictureplasty, hemorrhoidectomy (in severe cases of hemorrhoids), minimally invasive surgery, anoplasty, and other surgical treatments are available depending on the patient's condition. In colorectal surgery, diagnostic techniques such as a colonoscopy are critical because they can tell the doctor what sort of diagnosis to give and what procedure to perform to correct the disease. Proctoscopy, defecating proctography, and sigmoidoscopy are some of the other diagnostic procedures utilized by colorectal surgeons. Because of the lower risks, shorter recovery times, and smaller, more precise incisions achieved by utilizing laparoscopic instruments, the laparoscopic form of surgery has gained favor in recent years.