MultiCare Colon & Rectal Surgery - Tacoma

The board-certified, fellowship-trained colorectal surgeons at MultiCare Colon and Rectal Surgery – Tacoma have the experience, compassion and expertise needed to evaluate and treat a variety of issues affecting the colon and rectum, including:

• Colon and rectal cancers
• Diverticulitis, inflammation of small pouches in the colon
• Hemorrhoids (swollen, painful veins in the anus or rectum)
• Pelvic floor prolapse, which occurs when tissues that support the bladder and uterus weaken and the organs drop, and other pelvic floor problems
• Inflammatory bowel disease, conditions that cause inflammation and pain, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis

Some of the procedures MultiCare colorectal surgeons offer to patients suffering colorectal issues include:

• Bowel (colon) resection: The damaged part of the intestine is removed to lessen symptoms and improve overall health. The remaining healthy sections are joined together.
• Hemorrhoid surgery: Blood flow may be surgically cut off from the hemorrhoid through the use of staples, chemical injection, laser or rubber band placement. Once blood flow is cut off, the hemorrhoid shrinks and the discomfort passes. In other cases, the hemorrhoid may be removed altogether.
• Pelvic floor reconstruction: Misplaced organs are returned to their natural position and then surgically reinforced so they remain in place.
• Total colectomy: This involves removal of the entire colon. It is typically reserved for advanced cases of colon cancer, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Regardless of the procedure, colorectal surgeries can be performed one of two ways: open surgery, in which a single large incision is made to perform the procedure, and minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery.

With robotic-assisted surgery, the procedure is performed through a series of tiny incisions. Through these incisions, a small video camera acts as the surgeon’s eyes. The surgeon then controls robotic arms to accurately perform the procedure with minimal impact on healthy surrounding tissue.