McConnell Colorectal Center
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Frequently Asked Questions
Colonoscopy, Surgical Procedures, Colorectal Diseases, and Anal Diseases
- Hemorrhoids
- Rectal Problems
- Rectal Bleeding, Abscess, Fissure
- Cancer (in combination with colon, bowel, rectal, polyp, colorectal), Diverticulitis, Rectal Leakage
- Anal Mass, Rectal Mass, Pilonidal Cyst, Tailbone Pain or Drainage, Colorectal
- Urodynamics, Constipation, Diarrhea, Fecal or Stool Incontinence
- Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s Disease, Laparoscopy
- Trans-rectal Ultra Sound, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Polypectomy, Strictures of Anus or Rectum, Colonic Neoplasms
Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation and ulcers
which are found in the lining of the rectum and colon. Ulcers form
where inflammation has killed the cells that line the colon.
The ulcers bleed and produce pus. The colon becomes inflamed and
empties often which causes diarrhea.
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It
may be difficult to diagnose ulcerative colitis because the symptoms of
this condition are similar to other intestinal disorders.
Ulcerative colitis may occur at any age. Usually ulcerative
colitis occurs in individuals between the ages of 15 and 30.
Ulcerative colitis affects men and women equally and is thought to run
in the family.
Crohn’s
Disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease involving the
intestines. Crohn's disease mostly causes ulcers of the small and large
intestines. Crohn's disease may affect the digestive
system. Crohn's disease is named after the physician who, in
1932, described this disease.
Crohn's disease is closely related to ulcerative colitis. Crohn's
disease and ulcerative colitis are both often referred to as
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). There is no medical cure for Crohn's
disease. Once Crohn's disease begins, it fluctuates between
remission and relapse. Crohn's disease typically begins during
adolescence and early adulthood but may begin during childhood and
later in life.
The cause of Crohn's disease is not known. Crohn's disease may be
attributed to genes inherited, the immune system or something from the
environment.
Many scientists believe that the interaction of a virus or bacteria
with the body's immune system may trigger Crohn's disease.
Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy is visualization of the peritoneal cavity,
ovaries, outside of the tubes and uterus by using this instrument. The
laparoscopy instrument resembles a small telescope with a fiber optic
system bringing light into the abdomen.
Laparoscopy is an x-ray and ultrasound exam which diagnoses conditions
of the abdomen and pelvis.
A laparoscopy allows the surgeon to view the organs of the abdomen and
pelvis.
The laparoscope instrument is a has special optics which enable small
amounts of light to be transmitted.
Carbon dioxide gas is filtered through the laparoscope into the
abdomen. This gas filtration creates a space for the surgeon to view
the area or to operate.
A general anesthesia is given to a patient who will be undergoing a
laparoscopy.
Most laparoscopies are given to find out what is causing pain of the
abdominal or pelvic region. An illness which may be diagnosed through
laparoscopy might be endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease,
ectopic pregnancy, ovarian cysts and appendicitis.
It is possible at times to conduct an operation directly through the
laparoscope. Laparoscopic surgery leaves a small scar and patients will recover
quickly from the surgery.
Usually a patient will be in some pain around the area the laparoscopy
was performed. The skin around the area will be sensitive.
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