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Colorectal Surgery

What is colorectal surgery?

If you require colorectal surgery, you can be sure of the best possible medical care at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH). Our dedicated team consisting of western board colorectal consultant surgeon, surgical oncologist and specialist nurses expert in treating colorectal and anal cancers and inflammatory bowel disease. The team also provide endoscopy, stoma care and enhanced recovery after surgery care, as well as complex abdominal wound management.

Colorectal surgery may be recommended if you are suffering from colorectal cancer, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, or some types of diverticulitis. Other bowel conditions that may require surgery include hemorrhoids, anal fissures, rectal prolapse, and bowel incontinence.

Colorectal Treatments, services and procedures

In Saudi Arabia, this is the most common type of cancer in men, and the second most common in women, aged over 50. We offer state-of-the-art, minimally invasive options for both colon cancer and rectal cancer, and specialize in sphincter-sparing surgery to avoid permanent colostomy whenever feasible.

Our Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program provides the quickest possible recovery after surgery. We also offer a dedicated team approach, with your surgeon, oncologist, radiologist, and pathologist together deciding the best possible care program for your particular needs.

If you are dealing with ulcerative colitis, there is a 30% chance that you may require surgery at some stage. This may be due to bleeding, cancer, or a risk of cancer (dysplasia).

The removal of the colon can be an option when medication is no longer effective or is creating severe side effects. We are one of the few hospitals in the region to offer keyhole surgery for the complete removal of the colon and reconstruction with the small intestine -  laparoscopic restorative proctocolectomy.

Crohn’s disease can cause ulcers, bleeding, intestinal narrowing (strictures) and anal disease. Management and treatment are usually through medication, but around 80% of sufferers may at some stage require surgery.

Surgery is most commonly offered to treat anal disease that has developed infections and fistulae, or for the removal of narrowings in the small intestine that do not respond to medical therapy. Minimally invasive surgery is an excellent way to remove these narrowings, using small incisions to aid a speedy recovery.

We work closely with our gastroenterology colleagues, who offer a full spectrum of medical treatment for this disease.

Anorectal abscesses, fissures, and fistulae are common conditions that can cause a lot of distress and needless suffering. We specialize in continence-preserving techniques to repair these problems while minimizing incontinence. You may require two short outpatient surgeries, but an overnight hospital stay should not be necessary.

Caused by small pockets forming within the colon, some cases of diverticulitis may require the removal of a short segment of the colon in order to minimize the risk of recurrence, or if there are repeated attacks.

We may need to remove any narrowing of the colon (stricture) if present, but this can often be carried out by minimally invasive keyhole surgery to shorten recovery time.

Rectal prolapse can be caused by redundancy to the rectum that results in a blockage when passing a stool, or a visible prolapse where the rectum can protrude during defecation.

Treatment will depend on your age, if you are suffering from any other disorders, and your specific type of prolapse.

Around 20-30 percent of people past their 50s will develop small growths in the colon. These can usually be removed by endoscopy, but if the polyp is large and endoscopic options have not worked,  surgery may be required.  

We offer minimally invasive surgery to ensure the polyp is removed carefully and safely, and also to promote a speedy recovery.

This common condition can be painful and affect general health. If dietary measures and lifestyle adjustment have not helped, we offer a short procedure to remove or reduce the hemorrhoids. Our endoscopic and surgical treatments range from traditional excision to stapling procedures, all of which promote a quicker recovery. We will ensure your treatment meets your particular needs.

What to expect from colorectal surgery

If your surgeon has decided, following a clinical assessment, that surgery is required (and that your condition is not an emergency), you will be referred to the Preadmission and Anesthesia Clearance Clinic. Prior to your procedure, we will invite you to talk to one of our anesthetists about the anesthesia process, and make sure that you are fit for treatment. Feel free to ask any questions. 

Once cleared for surgery, you will be given verbal and written instructions to follow to prepare yourself.

You will receive a call from the pre-operation nursing team 24 hours before your surgery, to assess your health and confirm your attendance. If you need to cancel your surgery, please inform the team as soon as possible, to give others a chance to receive treatment in your slot.

You will be informed of your check-in time and should ensure you follow the fasting instructions provided, to avoid a last-minute cancellation of surgery. In general, you should not consume solid food for eight hours before surgery. However, clear liquid such as water is allowed up to two hours before surgery. Your dedicated team will tell you if medication needs to be stopped, and you should bring all your medication with you.

On the day of your procedure, you should arrive at your surgical center in plenty of time. You will then be prepared for the operating room.

Depending on the type of surgery you have received, you will either be discharged on the same day (once it is safe to do so), or you may need to remain in hospital while you recover.  

Our specialist nurses can help with stoma care and post-operative recovery, as well as complex abdominal wound management.

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