Proctologist: what it is, medical tests and surgeries
- What is proctology?
- Who is the proctologist?
- What medical tests does the proctologist perform?
- What surgeries does a proctologist perform?
What is proctology?
- Proctology is a speciality within general and digestive system surgery.
- The proctologist is a specialist in pathologies and diseases of the anal region.
- The surgeries performed by the proctologist include surgery for haemorrhoids, anal fissure and anal fistula.
Proctology is a subspecialty of general surgery that deals with diseases of the rectum and the anal region in general. Proctology is responsible for the diagnosis of these diseases and pathologies, as well as their treatment, which can be conservative or surgical depending on each specific case in each specific patient.
The most common diseases that proctology deals with are: haemorrhoids, anal fissures, anal fistulas, rectal abscesses, constipation, faecal incontinence, condylomas, rectal prolapse, among others.
It is important to mention that in Spain proctology is not considered a surgical speciality, but depends directly on the Spanish Association of Surgery, being considered a branch of general surgery, so it can be practised by a general surgeon specialised in the digestive system.
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Who is the proctologist?
This is a surgeon specialising in the digestive system, who has specialised in the anal and perianal region and its pathologies and treatments. If he also specialises in diseases of the colon and rectum, he is called a coloproctologist.
Usually, patients who come to the proctologist are already in very advanced stages of their diseases and pathologies, which is a problem.
The less advanced the disease is, the easier and quicker the treatment will be, so it is highly recommended to see a proctologist as soon as possible and not try to put up with any discomfort you may have.
It should always be borne in mind that a proctologist is a specialist in diseases of the anal region and sees many people with various pathologies every day, so you should not be afraid or ashamed to go to him or her.
The proctologist can provide surgical or non-surgical treatments depending on how advanced the pathology is and what type it is.
What medical tests does the proctologist perform?
Some of the most common tests that proctologists perform when assessing and diagnosing their patients' diseases are:
- Colonoscopy: a colonoscope (a flexible tube with a camera) is inserted into the anal cavity and passed through the entire colon. The doctor, using a monitor, can observe the inside of the patient to detect possible problems and be able to treat them.
- Rectoscopy: the instruments and technique are the same as in colonoscopy, but in this case only the rectum (the first part of the interior when entering through the anus) is examined.
- Anorectal manometry: this involves the insertion of a flexible plastic probe into the anus. The probe has a latex balloon at the tip that is inserted into the body.
- Defecography: a barium contrast medium is introduced into the anal cavity and the patient is asked to defecate in a toilet. In this way, the movements of the organism during defecation can be detected, as well as any abnormality in the act of defecation.
These are painless tests that can help us to detect diseases that are very detrimental to the patient's state of health and quality of life.
It is necessary to carry out all the necessary diagnostic tests, as it is vital to know the pathology or illness from which the patient is suffering in order to find the most appropriate treatment possible.
What surgeries does a proctologist perform?
The most common surgical interventions performed by a proctologist are:
- Haemorrhoidectomy
- Fissurectomy
- Treatment of anal fissures
- Sphincterotomy
- Treatment of anal fistulas
- Surgical treatment of rectal prolapse
- Surgical treatment of faecal incontinence, etc.
It is very difficult to know what type of intervention each patient requires if the characteristics of their pathology or illness are not known, which is why diagnosis is essential.
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Medical disclaimer: All the published content in Operarme is intended to disseminate reliable medical information to the general public, and is reviewed by healthcare professionals. In any case should this information be used to perform a diagnosis, indicate a treatment, or replace the medical assessment of a professional in a face to face consultation. Find more information in the links below:
