Bowel (colorectal) surgery

Treatments for problems with the colon, rectum and anus

St Vincent’s Private Hospitals offer a wide range of Bowel (colorectal) related services, for details of the Bowel (colorectal) services at your local St Vincent’s Private Hospital, click here.


Our colorectal surgeons treat all aspects of bowel disease and lower GI trauma

Bowel surgery, also known as ‘colorectal surgery’ includes a number of procedures that treat problems with the colon, rectum and anus. At St Vincent’s Private Hospitals we perform a broad spectrum of investigative and surgical procedures. Many minor problems are treated as day procedures.

One of the procedures that frequently brings people to our hospital is colonoscopy.

Our colorectal surgeons

Many of Australia’s colorectal surgeons practice at a St Vincent’s Private Hospital. 

Our colorectal surgeons are amongst Australia’s leading and most respected practitioners, who have all undergone a rigorous process of assessment prior to gaining admitting privileges to our hospitals.

We have specialist colorectal surgeons who perform a wide range of procedures.

Our Services

Please check your relevant hospital below for their specific services. **Not all services are available at all hospitals.

  • Day-only endoscopy and colonoscopy service
  • Complete investigative services for rectal bleeding 
  • Management of bowel polyps, including programs for ongoing surveillance
  • Laparoscopic surgeries for benign and malignant conditions 
  • Sphincter-saving procedures for cancer of the rectum.
  • Total management of colon and rectal malignancy 
  • Specialised treatment of diverticular disease and its complications, including bladder and vaginal fistulas
  • Surgery for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease
  • Treatment of complicated fistula in ano, rectal prolapse, ano-rectal incontinence and rectal trauma
  • Colorectal ultrasound to assess faecal incontinence and sphincter impairments.

Colonoscopy

When you have a suspected problem with your colon, your GP may recommend referring you to a specialist for a colonoscopy. This procedure enables the specialist to insert a tiny camera into your colon, view the inside of it and take samples of tissue for examination under a microscope. If the specialist finds a polyp (a blob of tissue that may or may not be cancer), they may be able to remove it completely at the same time.

To make you comfortable, you’ll be offered sedation and many people sleep through their procedure. Afterwards you’ll need someone to take you home.

Colonoscopy

Haemorrhoids

Haemorrhoids are swollen veins found inside your anus or higher up in your rectum. While they’re not life-threatening, they can be distressing and cause pain and bleeding.

Our colorectal surgeons employ a range of techniques for treating haemorrhoids. The procedures involve either cutting off the blood supply to the haemorrhoid or removing it entirely.

The choice of surgery depends on the type of haemorrhoid you have, its severity, as well as your personal preferences. Your surgeon will recommend an approach.

Disclaimer

This information is of a general nature, which may not be relevant to you. Any surgery or invasive procedure carries risk. We encourage you to speak with your doctor about your condition.

Find a hospital near you offering bowel surgery

We have skilled and internationally-recognised specialists consulting and performing colorectal procedures and surgeries at St Vincent’s Private Hospital, Northside. 

We treat people with inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, diverticular disease, functional bowel disorders, anorectal conditions and other conditions affecting the colon, rectum and anus.

List of tests and procedures:

  • Colonoscopy
  • Endoscopy
  • Laparoscopic surgery
  • Colon surgery
  • Rectal surgery
Your GP can refer you to one of our colorectal surgeons.

Find details of our colorectal surgeons here

Contact Us

We offer a range of colorectal procedures for patients suffering bowel conditions. Cases range from minor perianal procedures to major abdominal bowel resections for cancer.

The colorectal surgery procedures we perform are:

  • Colonoscopy
  • Laparaoscopy
  • Bowel resections
  • Perianal procedures
  • Sigmoidoscopy
  • Heamorrhoidectomy

Your GP can refer you to one of our colorectal surgeons. 

Contact us

We offer a specialised service in all aspects of surgery of the colon, rectum and anus, including:

  • Day-only endoscopy and colonoscopy service
  • Complete investigative services for rectal bleeding together with the management of bowel polyps, and programs for ongoing surveillance
  • Laparoscopic colectomy for benign and malignant conditions
  • Sphincter-saving procedures for cancer of the rectum including colo-anal anastomoses and abdomino-perineal pull-through procedures
  • Total management of colon and rectal malignancy (only one in 20 of our patients now requires a permanent colostomy)
  • Specialised treatment of diverticular disease including bladder and vaginal fistulas
  • Ulcerative colitis and Crohn 's disease surgeries, where total proctocolectomy and ilea-anal pouch procedures have dramatically improved people’s quality of life.
  • Specialised service for complicated fistula in ano, cure of rectal prolapse, management of ano-rectal incontinence and management of rectal trauma
  • A state-of-the-art anal physiology laboratory including ultrasound to fully assess all aspects of faecal incontinence and sphincter impairments
  • Robot-assisted surgery to treat a number of colorectal conditions including colon cancer, rectal cancer, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease) and rectal prolapse. 

Your GP can refer you to one of our colorectal surgeons.

Find details of our colorectal surgeons here

Contact Us

Our colorectal surgery services include the diagnosis  via endoscopy and colonoscopy) and surgical management of:

  • Colorectal cancer and polyps
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Pelvic floor dysfunction (including rectal prolapse)
  • Diverticular disease
  • Anal abscess
  • Fissures and haemorrhoids
  • Rectal bleeding
  • Endometriosis
  • Hernia
  • Pilonidal sinus.

Our colorectal surgeons also work closely with specialists in oncology, radiology, pathology, gastroenterology and gynaecology, as well as with dietitians, stomal therapists and physiotherapists to provide you with optimal care.

We also offer robot-assisted surgery – using the latest in technology, the new Da Vinci® XI. Robot-assisted surgery can provide significant benefits including smaller incisions with less invasive surgery, fewer post-operative complications, reduced pain and decreased hospital stay, furthermore it can be lower risk if you have other medical conditions.

Your GP can refer you to one of our colorectal surgeons.

Find details of our colorectal surgeons here

Contact Us

We offer a specialised service in surgery of the colon, rectum and anus, including:

  • Day-only endoscopy and colonoscopy service
  • Complete investigative services for rectal bleeding together with the management of bowel polyps, and programs for ongoing surveillance
  • Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
  • Open laparoscopic hernia repairs
  • Specialised service for anal fistulas and haemorrhoids
  • Medical management of ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, Crohn 's disease and other diseases of the bowel
  • New technologies to facilitate the latest haemorrhoid procedures

Our approach to your care

Before admission you’ll be assessed by our highly skilled nursing staff.

Leading edge facilities in a comfortable local environment

Our state-of-the-art facilities include the latest in technology will assist in your procedure and ongoing care.

For your added comfort we offer:

  • Single private rooms with ensuites for privacy
  • An extensive menu with all meals freshly prepared on site and made to order
  • Free wifi
  • Peaceful gardens with spaces for quiet reflection
  • Access to pastoral care services for all faiths and a chapel with services held monthly

We have arrangements with St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney and the Mater Hospital, North Sydney. Where your procedure can’t be performed at Griffith due to your particular needs, we can arrange a transfer back to our hospital afterwards so you can recover locally.

Your GP can refer you to one of our colorectal surgeons.

Find details of our colorectal specialists here

Contact Us

Our gastrointestinal unit offers highly specialised services including gastroenterology, colorectal, hepatobiliary and general surgery.

Procedures include:

  • Appendectomy
  • Laparoscopic surgery
  • Cholecystectomy  open and laparoscopic
  • Endoscopy – colonoscopy and gastroscopy
  • Hernia – open and laparoscopic
  • Laparotomy – bowel resection
  • Haemorrhoidectomy

Many of our surgeons have consulting suites on site and are supported by experienced nurse and allied health practitioners.

We treat conditions such as:

  • Colorectal cancer
  • Bladder cancer
  • Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
  • Complex fistulas and draining wounds and tubes.

Stomal therapy

Stomal specialist care is provided by our stomal therapy nurse, an experienced registered nurse who’s undertaken further study in stomal therapy.

Recovering from complex surgery which changes body image and self-confidence requires understanding, patience and ongoing support long after discharge from our hospital.

We offer:

  • Preadmission counselling and education to discuss the details of surgery.
  • Counselling and education from day 1 postoperatively until discharge, so that you are either independent in stoma care or referred on to a home nursing service or specialist rehabilitation hospital.
  • Organising appropriate supplies and membership to a government funded ostomy association.
  • Preparing you for stoma reversal with postoperative counselling in continence management if needed.

Your GP can refer you to one of our colorectal surgeons.

Find details of our colorectal surgeons here

Contact Us

At St Vincent's Private Werribee we offer a range of colorectal procedures for people with bowel conditions. 

They range from minor perianal procedures to major abdominal bowel resections for cancer.

The colorectal surgery procedures we perform are:

  • Colonoscopy
  • Laparoscopy
  • Bowel resections
  • Perianal procedures
  • Sigmoidoscopy
  • Haemorrhoidectomy
Your GP can refer you to one of our colorectal surgeons.

Find details of our colorectal specialists here

Contact Us

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