Proctologists, as the public once knew them, still exist but operate under a different, more comprehensive name. A proctologist was a physician specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the lower digestive tract, specifically the rectum and anus. Today, these specialized doctors are officially known as Colorectal Surgeons or Colon and Rectal Surgeons. The name change reflects an expanded scope of practice, though the fundamental specialization in the final segments of the gastrointestinal system remains.
The Modern Specialist: Colorectal Surgery
Becoming a Colorectal Surgeon requires an extensive and highly focused path of medical training. After completing four years of medical school, the physician must first complete a five-year residency program in general surgery. This rigorous training provides a broad foundation in surgical principles and procedures.
Following the general surgery residency, the surgeon completes a specialized fellowship program in colon and rectal surgery, typically lasting one additional year. This fellowship provides intensive experience in the complex medical and surgical management of disorders affecting the entire large intestine, including the colon, rectum, and anus. The training emphasizes advanced techniques such as minimally invasive, robotic, and laparoscopic surgery for abdominal procedures.
The anatomical scope of a Colorectal Surgeon encompasses the entire large intestine: the colon, rectum, and anus. They manage both the abdominal portion of the large intestine (the colon) and the anorectal region. This comprehensive training ensures they are experts in the physiology and pathology of the entire lower digestive tract.
Why the Specialty Name Changed
The shift from “Proctology” to “Colorectal Surgery” was driven by the evolution and expansion of the specialty’s focus. The original term, derived from the Greek word proktos (meaning “anus” or “hindparts”), strictly implied a focus only on the rectum and anus. This narrow definition no longer accurately described the full breadth of conditions these surgeons treated.
The specialty increasingly incorporated the surgical management of the entire colon, especially with advances in colon cancer treatment and complex abdominal surgery. The modern name, “Colorectal Surgeon,” more accurately reflects the physician’s expertise across the entire colon and rectum. This change was necessary to clarify their role as experts managing conditions throughout the large intestine.
Common Conditions Treated
Colorectal Surgeons treat a wide array of conditions, ranging from common, minor issues to highly complex diseases requiring major surgical intervention. They manage routine but often painful anorectal disorders such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and anal fistulas. These issues involve swollen veins, small tears, and abnormal tunnels near the anus.
A significant part of their practice involves the surgical management of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), specifically Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, when medical therapy is insufficient. They also treat diverticulitis, a condition involving inflamed pouches in the wall of the colon. Colorectal Surgeons are experts in the screening, diagnosis, and surgical removal of colorectal cancer, often employing advanced minimally invasive techniques.