Colorectal surgery is usually undertaken to repair damage to the anus, rectum and colon that can result from disease such as bowel cancer, anal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and diverticulitis. Inflammatory bowel diseases include Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Disorders such as rectal prolapse and incontinence, polyps, and haemorrhoids may often be treated by colorectal surgery.
Private treatment and surgery for colorectal problems is widely available in the private healthcare sector in the UK. The surgery is normally undertaken by a Consultant General Surgeon who specialises in colorectal surgery.