There are a range of colorectal problems, but colon and rectal cancer and hemorrhoids are among the most common colorectal problems to affect people in the United States. For many patients suffering from colorectal conditions, surgery is the best treatment option. East Bay-area surgeon Dr. Dat Tien Nguyen, who works out of San Ramon and Pleasanton, has extensive experience treating those suffering from colorectal problems. Further, his skill performing colorectal surgery laparoscopically minimizes the time it takes to perform the procedure and the time it takes to recover from treatment.
Read the sections below to learn more about the specific conditions Dr. Nguyen treats using this less-invasive method of colorectal surgery.
Patients suffering from anorectal problems typically have a deformity of the anal area that leads to pain during bowel movement.
Hemorrhoids are one of the most common types of colorectal problems that affect Americans; almost 50 percent of the United States population develops hemorrhoids at some point in their lives. In milder cases, hemorrhoids can be treated through changes in diet, medications, and baths. Bleeding hemorrhoids are usually treated with minimally invasive and relatively non-painful technique called rubber band ligation. In cases with severe pain or with significant large or prolapse hemorrhoids, Dr. Nguyen can surgically remove the hemorrhoid. Some hemorrhoids may be removed using a stapling technique resulting in much less postoperative pain than traditional hemorrhoidectomy.
Small cuts or scratches along the lining of the anal canal can cause pain and bleeding, a condition known as anal fissures. While the majority of anal fissures heal on their own, more serious conditions require relaxing the anus by injecting botulism toxin (BOTOX® injection) or by cutting a small layer of anal muscle (lateral internal sphincterotomy) to facilitate healing.
Anal fistulas are small tunnel-like tracks developed usually as a consequence of infection of anal glands. The gland infection may result in a perianal abscess and subsequently may drain spontaneously. With drainage of the abscess, a tunnel-like track may develop. These tracks or channels open when infection or inflammation is present, and the open canal causes fluids to drain into the opening in the skin. While the canals do not cause pain for patients, the fluid that accumulates on the skin can become irritated. In asymptomatic cases, observation without surgery may be prudent course. However, when these tracks are associated with persistent and recurrent infections, surgery is needed to help heal the tracks. There are a variety of surgery techniques for these tracks and the appropriate technique is chosen depending on the condition of the tracks and patients. These techniques include closure of the fistula with fibrin glue or a plug, unroofing the track (fistulotomy), or closure with a flap of good tissue from the anal or rectal area (advancement flap). Dr. Nguyen, a colon and rectal surgeon, can assist you in choosing the appropriate treatment.
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) include conditions that result in inflammation of the intestines; the most common types of IBDs are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Causing the digestive tract to be chronically inflamed, Crohn's disease generally affects individuals between the ages of 16 and 40. While the causes of the condition are not known, studies have shown that individuals who have a family history of IBDs are at a higher risk of developing Crohn's disease. Because the condition is chronic, eventually the majority of patients will need to undergo surgical treatment to relieve symptoms of the disease. Some patients may need surgery to remove the diseased segments of the small intestine or colon ( partial small bowel resection, ileocecectomy or partial colectomy). Other patients may need surgery (stricturoplasty) to relieve obstruction caused by Crohn’s disease. Most of these surgeries can be performed laparoscopically (via small incisions).
An inflammation of the colon's lining, ulcerative colitis can cause fevers, loss of weight, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and diarrhea. Patients who suffer from ulcerative colitis are at a higher risk of developing large bowel cancer, making it extremely important for sufferers to seek treatment. The condition can be treated with medications and steroids for some patients; for those suffering from more serious symptoms, the colon, rectum, and anus may need to be surgically removed to prevent cancer or other life-threatening complications. Some patients will have the end of the small intestine connected to their skin (ileostomy) so that stool can be emptied into a collection bag. Many patients are candidates for reconstruction with a J-pouch ileoanal ansatomosis. Many, if not most, of the above surgeries can be done via minimally invasive approach (via small incisions).
While the majority of Americans do not know diverticulosis by name, the disease affects 30 percent of adults in the United States by the age of 60 and 60% of all adults by the age of 80. The condition involves the development of pockets that form along the colon wall and become inflamed or infected (diverticulitis). In the majority of diverticulitis cases, patients can be treated with antibiotics and dietary change. A small percentage of patients with diverticulitis will be complicated with free perforation, abscess, stricture (narrowing of the involved segment of colon) or fistula (infection creating tracks between colon and bladder, vagina, small bowel or skin). Patients with diverticulitis complicated with free perforation will need emergent surgery. Patients with diverticulitis with other complications will need to undergo elective removal of the diseased colon. Most elective surgery for diverticular diseases is performed using a laparoscopic approach ( minimally invasive via small incisions).
In addition to the conditions mentioned above, Dr. Nguyen also treats the following colorectal problems through colorectal surgery at his practice serving Pleasanton, San Ramon and all of East Bay:
As a person ages, the muscles and ligaments that secure the rectum to the pelvic wall can become stretched, causing the rectum to prolapse, or fall out of place. In the most severe cases, the rectum will protrude from the body frequently or permanently. Colorectal surgery can be performed on these patients to reattach the rectum to the pelvic bone. There are many surgical options for treatment of rectal prolapse. For most patients, the surgery can be performed using minimally invasive approach.
Fecal incontinence refers to an individual's inability to control his or her bowel movements. Common in the elderly woman, incontinence can result from muscle damage caused during vaginal delivery with or without episiotomy, traumatic injury, colorectal surgery for hemorrhoids, fistulas or abscess. Patients with a minor degree of incontinence can be managed with increased dietary fiber and medications. Patients with moderate to severe incontinence (unable to hold solid stool) should be evaluated for the possibility of an anal muscle defect. Patients with incontinence due to a muscle defect can be improved significantly with repairing of the anal muscle defect.
A rectocoele occurs when the posterior wall of the vagina weakens, allowing the rectum or rectal wall to push up against the wall of the vagina. This can result in a bulge that is most noticeable during bowel movements. A significant, large rectocoele may cause constipation or an incomplete evacuation of the bowels. Repair of the rectocele may facilitate better evacuation and may relieve symptom of constipation.
Dr. Nguyen's focus on treating colorectal conditions and performing laparoscopic surgery for the past 15 years has provided him with the skill and knowledge required to use the most advanced surgical techniques on his patients. He has been successfully performing laparoscopic colorectal surgery on his patients throughout his medical career and employs this minimally-invasive method of surgery on the majority of his patients. If you or a loved one is in need of colorectal surgery, contact East Bay-area surgeon Dat Nguyen of Pleasanton and San Ramon.
If you or a loved one is in need of colorectal surgery, contact the office of San Ramon and Pleasanton surgeon Dat Nguyen at his East Bay-area practice.
Dat T. Nguyen, M.D., Inc.
5565 W. Las Positas Blvd. Ste. 360, Pleasanton, California 94588
Phone: (925) 460-3205
Fax: (925) 460-3795
Dr. Dat Tien Nguyen is a very personable and experienced colorectal and cancer surgeon....
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