Colorectal Surgery
The colon and rectal surgery program is nationally and internationally recognized for our surgeons’ expertise. We are at the forefront of many surgical innovations in the field. Our surgeons have pioneered the use of novel techniques for the surgical treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases as well as laparoscopic treatment of colon and rectal cancer.
At the University of Chicago Medical Center our surgeons have been performing advanced laparoscopic colorectal procedures since 2002. With our extensive expertise, our surgeons are able to recommend and successfully perform a laparoscopic colectomy in more than 75% of all the abdominal operations of the colon and rectum. Currently, they have performed more than 1,000 of these operations.
Colon surgery is a commonly performed procedure to remove a portion of the colon or rectum for a variety of diseases. This includes benign diseases such as adenomatous polyps, diverticular disease, inflammatory bowel disease (either Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative Colitis), ischemic intestinal diseases, radiation-induced intestinal diseases and rectal prolapse as well as malignant diseases such as colon and rectal cancer and other cancers of the small intestine.
It can be performed as an open surgery or as a laparoscopic surgery. Most conventional open colectomies require a long incision down the center of the abdomen. Laparoscopic colectomies, also called minimally invasive colectomies, are performed through small incisions, usually less than one inch in length.
With minimally invasive surgery, trauma to the intestine is reduced thus decreasing the formation of intraabdominal scar tissue or adhesions. The decreased formation of intraabdominal adhesions decreases the risk of postoperative bowel obstruction requiring hospitalization. With laparoscopic surgery, the postoperative pain is significantly reduced due to the smaller incisions and decreased exposure of the interabdominal viscera to room air. Decreased pain translates into a decreased requirement for narcotic pain medication, which results in more rapid return of bowel function. Once the bowel function returns the patient is ready to be discharged home and resume normal daily activities. Furthermore, the cosmetic benefits of a smaller incision, often placed in an area that is less visible, are obvious when compared to an open conventional operation.
The benefit of having surgery in a major medical center extends beyond the operating room. Patients with colon or rectal cancer or with inflammatory bowel diseases often are treated in multidisciplinary approach where multiple specialties work together to achieve the best possible outcome. In the case of cancer, a team of oncologists, gastroenterologists, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists work together with our surgeons to achieve the best long term cure rate. Several advanced and modern clinical trials are offered in our cancer center to our patients with colon and rectal cancer. In the case of a patient with inflammatory bowel diseases, a team of gastroenterologists, pathologists and radiologists work together with the surgeons to offer our patients the best preparation for surgery and a smooth recovery after the surgery. Additionally, modern medical trials are in place at the University of Chicago Medical Center to decrease the risks of recurrence of Crohn’s disease with the associated devastating consequences.
The University of Chicago colon and rectal surgeons are:
Alessandro Fichera, MD
Roger Hurst, MD
Konstantin Umanskiy, MD
For a consultation or a second opinion with one of our colon and rectal surgeons, please contact our office at (773) 834-3524.
At the University of Chicago Medical Center our surgeons have been performing advanced laparoscopic colorectal procedures since 2002. With our extensive expertise, our surgeons are able to recommend and successfully perform a laparoscopic colectomy in more than 75% of all the abdominal operations of the colon and rectum. Currently, they have performed more than 1,000 of these operations.
Colon surgery is a commonly performed procedure to remove a portion of the colon or rectum for a variety of diseases. This includes benign diseases such as adenomatous polyps, diverticular disease, inflammatory bowel disease (either Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative Colitis), ischemic intestinal diseases, radiation-induced intestinal diseases and rectal prolapse as well as malignant diseases such as colon and rectal cancer and other cancers of the small intestine.
It can be performed as an open surgery or as a laparoscopic surgery. Most conventional open colectomies require a long incision down the center of the abdomen. Laparoscopic colectomies, also called minimally invasive colectomies, are performed through small incisions, usually less than one inch in length.
With minimally invasive surgery, trauma to the intestine is reduced thus decreasing the formation of intraabdominal scar tissue or adhesions. The decreased formation of intraabdominal adhesions decreases the risk of postoperative bowel obstruction requiring hospitalization. With laparoscopic surgery, the postoperative pain is significantly reduced due to the smaller incisions and decreased exposure of the interabdominal viscera to room air. Decreased pain translates into a decreased requirement for narcotic pain medication, which results in more rapid return of bowel function. Once the bowel function returns the patient is ready to be discharged home and resume normal daily activities. Furthermore, the cosmetic benefits of a smaller incision, often placed in an area that is less visible, are obvious when compared to an open conventional operation.
The benefit of having surgery in a major medical center extends beyond the operating room. Patients with colon or rectal cancer or with inflammatory bowel diseases often are treated in multidisciplinary approach where multiple specialties work together to achieve the best possible outcome. In the case of cancer, a team of oncologists, gastroenterologists, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists work together with our surgeons to achieve the best long term cure rate. Several advanced and modern clinical trials are offered in our cancer center to our patients with colon and rectal cancer. In the case of a patient with inflammatory bowel diseases, a team of gastroenterologists, pathologists and radiologists work together with the surgeons to offer our patients the best preparation for surgery and a smooth recovery after the surgery. Additionally, modern medical trials are in place at the University of Chicago Medical Center to decrease the risks of recurrence of Crohn’s disease with the associated devastating consequences.
The University of Chicago colon and rectal surgeons are:
Alessandro Fichera, MD
Roger Hurst, MD
Konstantin Umanskiy, MD
For a consultation or a second opinion with one of our colon and rectal surgeons, please contact our office at (773) 834-3524.
