COLORECTAL SURGERY EXPLAINED
Minimally invasive colorectal surgery has numerous benefits. Robotic, laparoscopic and Trans-anal Minimally Invasive Surgery platforms are used for suitable candidates in our Practice. Dr Coetzee is one of only a handful of Colorectal Surgeons in South Africa offering Robotic-assisted rectal cancer surgery.
Colorectal Surgeons specialize in surgical diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract from the duodenum to the anus. The most common diseases referred will be colon and rectum cancer and inflammatory bowel disease.
All cancer patients are managed with a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) approach. Our team consists of dedicated oncologists, radiologists, the colorectal surgeon and stomatherapist. Decisions for the best management for each patient is made by the team. The management options are then discussed with the patient and a joint decision on the treatment is made.
We work in close collaboration with a gastroenterologist and IBD nurse practitioner for the management of all Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients. This dedicated collaboration understands the specific needs of the Crohn’s and Colitis patient. Joint decision making in IBD patients is the key to good outcomes and quality of life.
Helping patients who suffered abdominal surgical catastrophes (Intestinal Failure) is one of our passions. Our dedicated team of a dietician, stomatherapist and specialist nurses, together with our understanding of the needs of these desperate patients, help them to get through the challenging time in hospital. Our vast experience in the difficult reconstructive surgery and abdominal wall reconstruction has made our Unit a referral Centre for the Eastern Cape and surroundings.
Haemorrhoids:
Haemorrhoids is a common condition and affects 1 in 10 people. All General Surgeons are trained to manage haemorrhoids and only complicated haemorrhoidal disease, referred by specialists, are treated in our practice.
Common conditions not treated by a Colorectal Surgeon:
There are only a handful of Specialist Colorectal Surgeons in South Africa, and therefore we must focus our practice on the diseases within our specialty. Common conditions that are not treated in our practice include:
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Chronic constipation
- Chronic abdominal and pelvic pain