Colon and Rectal Surgery

By visiting Atrium Health for surgery of the colon or rectum (also called colorectal surgery), you’ll get expert care from leading surgeons in the field. You can also expect a treatment plan designed specifically to give you the best possible quality of life after your procedure, helping you get back to what matters most.

With decades of experience and advanced training in minimally invasive techniques, our colon and rectal surgeons have a strong reputation for providing outstanding care for even the most complex conditions. We’ll work with you and your healthcare providers to answer questions and develop a personalized surgical solution that best meets your needs, and supports you and your family at every stage of your recovery.

Leading the way in colon and rectal surgery

Atrium Health offers patients innovative technologies only available in a few centers throughout the country, including transanal surgery to remove the rectum and the use of robotic technologies to perform reconstructive surgeries for cancer and inflammatory bowel disease.

Comprehensive, coordinated colon and rectal care

Our relationship with you extends far beyond the operating room. We pride ourselves on delivering personal, proactive service from your first consultation all the way through the completion of your care.

We’ll work closely with your healthcare providers and experts throughout Atrium Health to design the best treatment program for you. This close collaboration with primary care physicians, oncologists, gastroenterologists, proctologists and other specialists ensures you’ll have the comprehensive care and the support of your full healthcare team at every step along the way.

We also foster relationships with groups such as Charlotte’s Colon Cancer Support Network and Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation to connect you with other patients and families for support and resources during and after your treatment.

Your comfort is our priority

When you come to Atrium Health for colorectal care, you’ll benefit from the very best evidence-based practices both in the operating room and during your recovery.

Our goal is to help you return home and resume normal activities as soon as possible. Many surgeries of the anus or rectum, such as procedures to treat anal fistulas, anal fissures and hemorrhoids, can now be performed on an outpatient basis. For complex conditions such as colorectal cancer, we use a comprehensive evaluation process that includes MRI scans to find the treatments that will help you most – and help you avoid those you don’t need.

Advanced colorectal surgical techniques for a faster recovery

Our surgeons use advanced, minimally invasive surgical techniques when appropriate to give you a fast recovery with less pain. These techniques typically involve threading a small tube with a tiny camera and other instruments to the surgical site via the anus or a small incision in the abdomen. In addition to allowing for a quicker recovery, minimally invasive surgery lowers your risk of developing procedure-related complications, both in the short term and years down the road.

When needed, we take every measure to preserve your natural bodily functions to the fullest extent possible. For example, patients with colorectal cancer may benefit from sphincter salvage techniques that can prevent the need for a stoma or colostomy bag.