Colorectal Surgery

Dealing with disorders of the lower gastrointestinal tract can be uncomfortable and distressing, especially if surgery is needed.

Rely on UC San Diego Health colorectal surgeons, who diagnose and treat all types of conditions of the colon, rectum and anus. We listen to your concerns and offer effective treatment options with compassionate, personalized services. We help you recover quickly and return to your daily life and activities, feeling strong and healthy.

Colorectal Conditions We Treat

Your colorectal surgeon works with multiple specialists, including radiologists, pathologists, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists.

We offer comprehensive, leading-edge treatments for common, complex and rare disorders of the colon, rectum and anus. These include:

• Anal fistulas, anal fissures, hemorrhoids and rectal polyps
• Anal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and other pelvic organ disorders
• Bowel obstructions, surgically treatable constipation and other bowel function disorders
• Colon and rectal cancer
• Diverticular disease
• HPV-related anal disorders
• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis)
• Pelvic floor disorders

Advanced Techniques and Treatment

As the only academic center in the region, UC San Diego Health conducts research studies and clinical trials to improve your care and treatment options.

Our colorectal specialists are leaders in complex open surgeries and minimally invasive techniques. They perform advanced surgical procedures in state-of-the-art facilities with the latest equipment.

Minimally Invasive Techniques

Our surgeons use a minimally invasive approach as often as possible. This technique ensures less pain, faster recovery, lower risk of infection and less scarring.

Our surgeons are skilled in advanced laparoscopic surgical techniques. We incorporate single-incision methods, hand-assisted surgery, robotic technology and transanal approaches to provide the best care to our patients.

Robot-Assisted Surgery

Whenever possible, our surgeons use robotic surgery, which involves tiny incisions and better magnification, resulting in faster recovery times and fewer risks. We are the only team in San Diego performing robotic-assisted minimally invasive colon and rectal surgery.

TAMIS

We also offer robotic transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS), which makes it easier to extract large polyps that would otherwise not be removable. TAMIS combines single-incision laparoscopic methods with transanal endoscopic microsurgery. We treat many colorectal diseases using this advanced approach.