Colon & Rectal Surgery

Learn about National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

A new diagnosis of colon or rectal cancer can be overwhelming. Our colon and rectal team offers extended appointment times to patients and their families to ensure a thorough consultation.

We have the ability to present cases at Tumor Board, a weekly multidisciplinary meeting with medical and radiation oncologist, as well as other surgeons in the field of oncological surgery, in order to provide the most comprehensive cancer management. In addition to the Tumor Board forum, our providers helped develop a weekly Colon & Rectal Surgery Conference, where specific cases can be discussed among all specialists in colon and rectal surgery in Springfield. These resources of expertise in the field of medical management as well as our board certified, fellowship trained surgeons provide the most up to date treatment in colon and rectal surgery.

Springfield Clinic's Colon & Rectal Surgery Department provides a comprehensive five-year follow-up program after colon surgery using the American Society of Clinical Oncologist (ASCO) Guidelines.

We strongly advocate the use of screening colonoscopy to detect and treat colon cancer and other related diseases and conditions. As such, we provide open access to screening colonoscopy consultation with more than 60 appointment slots per week available among our board certified colon and rectal surgeons.

Quite often, a routine diagnostic colonoscopy procedure can be scheduled within two weeks of the initial consultation appointment. Patients with acute symptoms, like blood in the stool, will be worked into the schedule on an as-needed basis.

In either case, patient can expect a safe and comfortable experience, with a variety of options for sedation during the procedure. Most screening colonoscopies are completed at Springfield Clinic's Ambulatory Surgery & Endoscopy Center, located at the Clinic' Main Campus East Building at 1025 South 6th Street in Springfield.

More information about colonoscopies can be found here.

Our providers treat a wide spectrum of diseases and conditions of the anus and rectum which include hemorrhoids, fissures and fistulas. They offer comprehensive evaluation and treatment, including medical and surgical solutions, when necessary.

Our colon and rectal specialists are often able to treat acute diverticulitis or complicated diverticulitis conservatively with dietary adjustments and antibiotic therapy, followed by a single stage surgery. In some cases, no surgery is necessary. Our surgeons are well-trained and utilize the most current medical evidence to support the appropriate level of treatment.

When surgery is required, their primary goal is to keep your intestinal system intact and functioning as normally as possible.

Our providers offer consultation to discuss known genetic mutations that predispose individuals and families to colon cancer syndromes. Springfield Clinic's Colon & Rectal Department physicians and their nurses can help identify individuals, with family history, who may be at risk for one of these syndromes and provide information and access to testing.

Incontinence can be painful and embarrassing. It can limit your activities and seriously impact your quality of life. Our staff understands the problems related to incontinence and can help. We start with a thorough history, assessment and physical evaluation of fecal incontinence symptoms. 

Depending on the causes of incontinence, corrective options could include surgery (sphincteroplasty), pelvic floor training or medical therapy alone. We offer many support services through our Pelvic Floor Lab, conveniently located in our medical office at Springfield Clinic 1st.

Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's Disease or ulcerative colitis, often result in the need for an operative solution. Our team of colon and rectal experts are specially trained in the management of these complicated cases. They offer the knowledge and experience to surgically remove the diseased portion of the colon either with temporary diversion using Tolstoy or milepost techniques or total colon removal with the creation of a erectus or pouch.

Springfield Clinic's colon and rectal surgeons are considered among the area's most qualified in advanced laparoscopic techniques for colon resection.

For those who suffer with defecation disorders, even a simple trip to the store can be an anxious or embarrassing experience. In extreme cases, those with either extremely loose stools or severe constipation experience pain, humiliation and fear.

Fortunately, new therapies are available which help patients retrain pelvic floor muscles and regain normal control of defecation. These techniques, known as bio-feedback therapy, are administered by specially trained staff at Springfield Clinic's Colon & Rectal Department and medically supervised by the physicians and surgeons of that group. In addition to bio-feedback therapy, patients may be offered dietary or surgical solutions to help alleviate their symptoms.

The staff of Springfield Clinic's Pelvic Floor Lab offer comfort and care to individuals suffering with pelvic floor dysfunction. Our registered nurse, specially trained in bio-feedback therapy, collaborates with Springfield Clinic's colon and rectal specialists to provide personal, private and compassionate treatment for disorders of the pelvic floor, including constipation and fecal incontinence, or loose stools. Referrals to Springfield Clinic's Colon & Rectal Pelvic Floor Lab are made following a thorough examination by our team of specialists.

The Pelvic Floor Lab is located within the medical offices of Springfield Clinic's Colon & Rectal Surgery Department on the 4th Floor at Springfield Clinic 1st. Our facilities are private, comfortable and easy to access.

The Colon & Rectal Surgery Department offers robotic surgery options for various colon and rectal issues, including:

• Right Hemicolectomy
• Right Colon Resection for diverticulitis or cancer 
• Sigmoid Colon Resection for diverticulitis or cancer
• Low Anterior Resection for diverticulitis or cancer
• Abdominoperineal Resection for diverticulitis or cancer
• Rectopexy for rectal prolapse