What does a colorectal surgeon do?

What is a Colorectal Surgeon?

A colorectal surgeon is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the colon, rectum, and anus. This can include conditions such as colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, and hemorrhoids, among others.

In addition to surgical expertise, colorectal surgeons may also be involved in screening and surveillance programs for patients at high risk of developing colorectal cancer, as well as in the management of complex pelvic floor disorders such as fecal incontinence and rectal prolapse. They may work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices, and may collaborate with other specialists such as gastroenterologists, oncologists, and radiologists to provide the best possible care for their patients.

What does a Colorectal Surgeon do?

Duties and Responsibilities
Colorectal surgeons are specialized physicians who focus on diagnosing and treating diseases and conditions related to the colon, rectum, and anus. Their duties and responsibilities encompass a wide range of tasks, including:

Diagnosis: Colorectal surgeons are responsible for accurately diagnosing various colorectal conditions through thorough patient evaluations, physical examinations, and diagnostic tests such as colonoscopies, sigmoidoscopies, and imaging studies like CT scans and MRIs.
Treatment Planning: Based on their diagnosis, colorectal surgeons develop comprehensive treatment plans tailored to each patient's unique needs. This may involve surgical interventions, medical therapies, or a combination of both, depending on the severity and nature of the condition.
Surgical Procedures: One of the primary responsibilities of colorectal surgeons is to perform surgical procedures to treat colorectal disorders. These surgeries may include colectomies (partial or total removal of the colon), rectal resections, hemorrhoidectomies, fistulotomies, and procedures to treat colorectal cancers, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), diverticulitis, and other conditions.
Minimally Invasive Techniques: Colorectal surgeons are trained in the use of minimally invasive surgical techniques such as laparoscopy and robotic-assisted surgery. These approaches offer patients benefits such as smaller incisions, reduced pain, shorter recovery times, and improved outcomes compared to traditional open surgery.
Patient Education and Counseling: Colorectal surgeons play a crucial role in educating patients about their condition, treatment options, and post-operative care. They provide guidance and support to help patients make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
Follow-up Care: After surgical procedures or medical treatments, colorectal surgeons monitor patients closely to ensure proper healing and recovery. They conduct follow-up appointments, perform post-operative assessments, and adjust treatment plans as needed to optimize patient outcomes.
Collaborative Care: Colorectal surgeons often work closely with other healthcare professionals, including gastroenterologists, oncologists, radiologists, and nurses, to provide comprehensive and multidisciplinary care to patients with colorectal disorders.

Types of Colorectal Surgeons
Colorectal surgery is a specialized field within general surgery, and colorectal surgeons can specialize further in various areas. Here are some types of colorectal surgeons:

Colorectal Cancer Surgeons: These surgeons specialize in treating colorectal cancer, including performing surgeries to remove tumors and affected tissue. They may also work closely with oncologists to develop comprehensive treatment plans, which may include chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Colorectal Surgeons with Ostomy Expertise: Some colorectal surgeons specialize in caring for patients who have undergone ostomy surgery, including colostomies, ileostomies, and urostomies. They provide education, support, and follow-up care to help patients adjust to life with an ostomy and manage any complications that may arise.
Functional Colorectal Surgeons: These surgeons focus on treating conditions that affect the function of the colon and rectum, such as fecal incontinence and pelvic floor disorders. They may perform procedures to repair sphincter muscles, address rectal prolapse, or implant devices such as sacral nerve stimulators to improve bowel control.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Surgeons: Colorectal surgeons who specialize in treating inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. They perform surgeries to manage complications such as strictures, fistulas, and bowel obstructions, as well as procedures to remove diseased portions of the intestine and create ostomies if necessary.
Minimally Invasive Colorectal Surgeons: Colorectal surgeons who specialize in using minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopy or robotic-assisted surgery to perform colorectal procedures. These techniques offer patients benefits such as smaller incisions, reduced pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times compared to traditional open surgery.
Pediatric Colorectal Surgeons: Pediatric colorectal surgeons specialize in treating colorectal conditions in children, such as congenital anomalies, Hirschsprung's disease, and anorectal malformations. They have expertise in performing age-appropriate surgical procedures and providing comprehensive care to pediatric patients and their families.

Are you suited to be a colorectal surgeon?

Colorectal surgeons have distinct personalities. They tend to be investigative individuals, which means they’re intellectual, introspective, and inquisitive. They are curious, methodical, rational, analytical, and logical. Some of them are also realistic, meaning they’re independent, stable, persistent, genuine, practical, and thrifty.

Does this sound like you? Take our free career test to find out if colorectal surgeon is one of your top career matches.

Take the free test now Learn more about the career test

What is the workplace of a Colorectal Surgeon like?

The workplace of a colorectal surgeon can vary depending on their specific practice setting and the nature of their work. Many colorectal surgeons work in hospitals, where they may be affiliated with academic medical centers, community hospitals, or specialty clinics. In hospital settings, colorectal surgeons often perform surgical procedures in operating rooms equipped with advanced technology and equipment tailored to colorectal surgery. They may also collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams of healthcare professionals, including gastroenterologists, oncologists, radiologists, and specialized nursing staff, to provide comprehensive care to patients with colorectal conditions.

Additionally, some colorectal surgeons may have their own private practices or work in group practices alongside other surgeons and healthcare providers. In these settings, they may consult with patients in office-based clinics, where they conduct evaluations, perform procedures such as colonoscopies or flexible sigmoidoscopies, and provide pre- and post-operative care. Private practice colorectal surgeons may also have admitting privileges at local hospitals, where they perform surgeries and manage the care of hospitalized patients with colorectal conditions.

Colorectal surgeons often have demanding and fast-paced work environments, particularly when performing surgical procedures or managing complex cases. They must be skilled in prioritizing patient care, managing multiple responsibilities simultaneously, and making critical decisions under pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Doctor Specializations and Degrees

The following is a comprehensive list of the various specializations that a doctor can pursue and a brief summary of each specialization:

Allergist: An allergist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies, asthma, and related conditions. Allergists have specialized training in the recognition and management of allergic reactions.
Anesthesiologist: An anesthesiologist keeps a patient comfortable, safe and pain-free during surgery by administering local or general anesthetic.
Cardiologist: A cardiologist specializes in finding, treating, and preventing diseases that affect the heart, the arteries, and the veins.
Cardiothoracic Surgeon: A cardiothoracic surgeon specializes in surgical procedures inside the thorax (the chest), which may involve the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other organs in the chest. As well as performing surgery, they also diagnose and treat diseases of these organs.
Chiropractic Neurologist: A chiropractic neurologist is a specialized type of chiropractor who has undergone additional training in the field of neurology. They diagnose and treat conditions that affect the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the nervous system.
Chiropractor: A chiropractor, or doctor of chiropractic medicine, specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the musculoskeletal and nervous system, especially in the spine. Treatment is usually physical manipulation of the joints and the spine to bring them back into alignment. A chiropractor does not perform surgery or prescribe medication.
Colorectal Surgeon: A colorectal surgeon specializes in diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus, as well as the entire gastric tract. These surgeons work closely with urologists, who handle the urogenital tract in males and the urinary tract of women, gynecologists, who deal with specific female issues, and gastroenterologists, who deal with diseases of the gut.
Doctor: An general overview of what a doctor does and how to become one.
Dentist: Dentists identify potential oral health issues such as gum disease, as well as examine patients, order medical tests and determine the correct diagnosis and treatment. They also perform oral surgery and remove teeth or address other dental health problems.
Dermatologist: A dermatologist specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions affecting skin, hair, sweat and oil glands, nails, and mucus membranes (inside the mouth, nose, and eyelids) which can include cancer.
Emergency Medicine Physician: An emergency medicine physician works in emergency departments, hospitals, and urgent care clinics, and is often the first medical professional that patients see when they are in need of urgent medical care.
Endocrinologist: An endocrinologist specializes in diagnosing conditions and diseases related to the glands and hormones. While primary care doctors know a lot about the human body, for conditions and diseases directly related to glands and hormones they will typically send a patient to an endocrinologist.
Family Practitioner: A family practitioner specializes in caring for the entire family. Patients can be children, adults, and the elderly, and are treated for a wide array of medical issues.
Forensic Pathologist: A forensic pathologist investigates the cause of sudden and unexpected deaths, and is able to determine how a person died by performing an autopsy and studying tissue and laboratory results. These doctors are often called upon to provide evidence in court regarding the cause and time of such deaths.
Gastroenterologist: A gastroenterologist has specific training in diagnosing and treating conditions and diseases of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This may include diseases and disorders that affect the the biliary system (liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts), as well as the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine (colon).
Geriatrician: A geriatrician specializes in the care of elderly patients, and often works with patients who have multiple chronic conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease, as well as age-related cognitive and functional impairments.
Gynecologist: A gynecologist specializes in women's reproductive systems. Gynecologists are also sometimes certified as obstetricians, and will monitor the health of the mother and the fetus during a pregnancy.
Hematologist: A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of blood disorders, such as anemia and leukemia.
Hospitalist: A hospitalist is a physician whose focus is the general medical care of hospitalized patients. Their duties include patient care, teaching, research, and leadership related to hospital medicine.
Immunologist: An immunologist specializes in managing problems related to the immune system, such as allergies and autoimmune diseases. A smaller number of immunologists are strictly researchers seeking to better understand how the immune system works and to help develop better ways of diagnosing and providing treatment for many immunological conditions.
Infectious Disease Specialist: A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and hepatitis.
Internist: An internist is a 'doctor of internal medicine' who can diagnose, treat, and practice compassionate care for adults across the spectrum, from health to complex illness. They are not to be mistaken with "interns," who are doctors in their first year of residency training.
Medical Examiner: Medical examiners are responsible for performing autopsies and collecting evidence related to the circumstances of a death, including medical history, physical examination findings, and toxicology tests.
Naturopathic Physician: A naturopathic physician blends modern scientific medical practice and knowledge with natural and traditional forms of medical treatment. The goal is to treat the underlying causes of disease while stimulating the body's own healing abilities.
Nephrologist: A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases. They treat conditions such as chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, kidney stones, hypertension, and electrolyte imbalances.
Neurologist: A neurologist specializes in treating diseases that affect the human nervous system. It is a very prestigious and difficult medical specialty due to the complexity of the nervous system, which consists of the brain, the spinal cord and the peripheral nerves.
Neurosurgeon: A neurosurgeon specializes in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system. This includes congenital anomalies, trauma, tumours, vascular disorders, infections of the brain or spine, stroke, or degenerative diseases of the spine.
Obstetrician: An obstetrician is a medical doctor who specializes in caring for women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
Occupational Physician: Occupational medicine is focused on keeping individuals well at work, both mentally and physically. As workplaces become more complex, occupational physicians play an important role in advising people on how their work can affect their health.
Oncologist: An oncologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The three primary types of oncologists are: medical oncologists that specialize in the administration of drugs to kill cancer cells; surgical oncologists that perform surgical procedures to identify and remove cancerous tumors; and radiation oncologists that treat cancer with radiation therapy.
Ophthalmologist: An ophthalmologist is a specialist that deals specifically with the structure, function, diseases, and treatment of the eye. Due to the complexities and the importance of the eye as a special sense that provides vision, the discipline of ophthalmology is dedicated solely to this organ.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon: An oral and maxillofacial surgeon treats dental and medical problems involving the oral cavity and the maxillofacial area. The maxillofacial area includes the bones of the forehead, face, cheekbones and the soft tissues. Treatment often involves performing surgery and related procedures to treat diseases, defects, or injuries, and to improve function or appearance.
Orthodontist: An orthodontist specializes in how the jaws and teeth are aligned. They help people whose teeth are misaligned or require some kind of correction – those with an improper bite, or malocclusion.
Orthopedic Surgeon / Orthopedist: An orthopaedic surgeon (or orthopedist) examines, diagnoses, and treats diseases and injuries of the musculoskeletal system. This system includes the bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, tendons, and nerves.
Osteopath: Osteopaths have attended and graduated from an osteopathic medical school and practise the system of healthcare known as osteopathy. They consider all aspects of the patient, not just the symptoms they exhibit. They see the integrated nature of the body’s organ systems and its capacity for self-regulation and self-healing.
Otolaryngologist: Otolaryngologists (or ENT physicians) are specialists trained in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, throat (ENT), and related structures of the head and neck. These specialists are trained in both medicine and surgery.
Pathologist: A pathologist studies the causes, nature, and effects of disease. The field of pathology is broad with concentrations on changes in cells, tissues, and organs that are the result of a disease.
Pediatrician: A pediatrician specializes in providing medical care to infants, children and teenagers by administering treatments, therapies, medications and vaccinations to treat illness, disorders or injuries.
Periodontist: A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in oral inflammation, and who knows how to prevent, diagnose, and treat periodontal disease.
Plastic Surgeon: A plastic surgeon specializes in reshaping healthy body parts for aesthetic reasons, and also in repairing or replacing body parts damaged by accidents, illness or malformation.
Podiatrist: A podiatrist practices podiatric medicine, which is a branch of science devoted to the diagnosis, treatment and study of medical disorders of the foot, ankle, lower leg and lower back. In the U.S. and Canada, podiatry is practiced as a specialty.
Prosthodontist: A prosthodontist specializes in restoring the look, function, comfort, and health of a patient's oral cavity with artificial materials. These artificial materials are made up of a wide variety of restorations that include fillings, dentures, veneers, crowns, bridges and oral implants.
Psychiatrist: Psychiatrists are physicians who evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who are affected by a temporary or chronic mental health problem.
Pulmonologist: A pulmonologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary (lung) conditions and diseases of the chest, particularly pneumonia, asthma, tuberculosis, emphysema, and complicated chest infections.
Radiologist: A radiologist is a specialist in interpreting medical images that may be obtained with x-rays, (CT scans or radiographs), nuclear medicine (involving radioactive substances, magnetism (MRI), or ultrasound.
Rheumatologist: A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Sports Medicine Physician: A sports medicine physician specializes in taking care of people who have sports injuries that may be acquired from playing sports, exercising, or from otherwise being physically active.
Surgeon: A surgeon performs surgery for the purpose of removing diseased tissue or organs, to repair body systems, or to replace diseased organs with transplants.
Telemedicine Physician: A telemedicine physician provides remote healthcare services to patients using telecommunications technology, facilitating virtual consultations, diagnoses, and treatment recommendations.
Urologist: A urologist specializes in the treatment of the male and female urinary tract and the male reproductive organs. Urologists can treat the kidneys, urinary bladder, urethra, uterus, and male reproductive organs. There are also specific specialty areas that urologists may choose to focus on, such as pediatric urology, male infertility, and urologic oncology.
Vascular Medicine Specialist - A vascular medicine specialist specializes in the diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of conditions affecting the blood vessels. They may work with patients who have conditions such as deep vein thrombosis, peripheral artery disease, or pulmonary embolism.
Vascular Surgeon - A vascular surgeon specializes in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of conditions affecting the blood vessels, including aneurysms, peripheral artery disease, and varicose veins.
Veterinary Dentist - A veterinary dentist is a specialized veterinarian who focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of dental diseases and conditions in animals. They perform dental procedures such as cleanings, extractions, and oral surgeries to improve the oral health and well-being of pets and other animals.

Degrees

See Also

Doctor Allergist Anesthesiologist Cardiologist Cardiothoracic Surgeon Chiropractor Dentist Dermatologist Emergency Medicine Physician Endocrinologist Family Practitioner Forensic Pathologist Gastroenterologist Geriatrician Gynecologist Hematologist Hospitalist Immunologist Infectious Disease Specialist Internist Medical Examiner Naturopathic Physician Nephrologist Neurologist Neurosurgeon Obstetrician Occupational Physician Oncologist Ophthalmologist Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Orthopedic Surgeon Orthopedist Orthodontist Osteopath Otolaryngologist Pathologist Pediatrician Periodontist Plastic Surgeon Podiatrist Prosthodontist Psychiatrist Pulmonologist Radiologist Rheumatologist Sports Medicine Physician Surgeon Urologist Vascular Medicine Specialist Vascular Surgeon Chiropractic Neurologist Veterinary Dentist Telemedicine Physician