Colorectal Surgery
Tanner Clinic continues to provide our community with quality specialty care. This includes offering the only full-time colorectal surgeon north of Salt Lake City.
Colorectal surgery involves a variety of surgical procedures to treat conditions. These can include colon cancer, rectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and bowel obstruction. The procedures may involve removing part or all of the colon or rectum, repairing or reconstructing damaged tissues, or creating a colostomy or ileostomy. With over 20 years of surgical experience, Dr. Scott Baker specializes in Colorectal Surgery, General Surgery, Minimally invasive surgical approaches, Robotic management of surgical disease, Surgical management of colon and rectal cancer, Inflammatory bowel disease and Anorectal disease.
Our colorectal surgeon, Scott Baker, MD, is double board certified in general surgery and colorectal surgery, as well as fellowship trained in colorectal surgery. He enjoys treating and bonding with his patients and their families during what can be a very difficult time in their lives. Dr. Baker provides comprehensive care to his patients through a multidisciplinary approach and works hard to include other contributing physicians as part of the care team. Your appointment may involve a referral. You can call 801.773.4840 for more information.
PATIENT CENTERED CARE
A colorectal surgeon can provide good patient-centered care by focusing on the patient’s individual needs, preferences, and overall well-being throughout the entire treatment process. Here are key elements of patient-centered care that we focus on at Tanner Clinic. We provide Clear Communication by being open and honest with the patient. We ensure they understand their diagnosis, treatment options, and potential risks.
Our patients are involved in Informed Decision-Making by presenting treatment choices and respecting their preferences and values. We do this by showing Empathy and Compassion and acknowledging the patient’s concerns and fears, and provide emotional support.
Timely Access: to ensure timely access to care, we address urgent issues promptly and minimize wait times for appointments and procedures. We develop Individualized Treatment Plans: that consider the patient’s unique medical history, lifestyle, and goals. Our Minimally Invasive Techniques are used whenever possible, to reduce postoperative pain, scarring, and recovery time.
Our team implements effective pain management strategies, both during and after surgery, to enhance patient comfort. Patients are educated about preoperative preparations. They are told what to expect during surgery, and postoperative care to alleviate anxiety and improve outcomes. Postoperative Care are provided by giving thorough postoperative care instructions, monitor recovery progress, and addressing any complications promptly. We continue care by coordinating with other healthcare providers, such as gastroenterologists, oncologists, and radiologists.
As we advocate for our patient’s best interests, this includes exploring non-surgical options before recommending surgery when appropriate. Finally, we actively seek patient feedback to identify areas for improvement and enhance the quality of care.
WHAT IS COLORECTAL SURGERY?
Colorectal surgery is a surgical specialty that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus. It involves the surgical management of conditions such as colon cancer, rectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, anal fissures, anal fistulas, and rectal prolapse.
A colorectal surgeon is an expert a range of procedures, from minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopy or robotic surgeries, to open surgeries that require larger incisions. Some of the common procedures performed in colorectal surgery include colectomy (removal of all or part of the colon), rectal resection (removal of all or part of the rectum), and anal fistulotomy (surgical treatment of an anal fistula).
Colorectal surgery is there when medical management is determined to no longer be sufficient in treating your colon or rectal conditions.
WHY SHOULD I SEE A COLORECTAL SURGEON?
You may need to see a colorectal surgeon if you have symptoms or a condition related to the colon, rectum, or anus. Some common reasons to see a colorectal surgeon include:
1. Colon or rectal cancer: whether this is a personal history, family history or new diagnosis
2. Inflammatory bowel disease: if medication alone is no longer sufficient at keeping your symptoms at bay
3. Diverticulitis: If you have diverticulitis, a colorectal surgeon may recommend surgery if you have recurring episodes or if these episodes are impacting your life
4. Hemorrhoids: while very common, hemorrhoids can cause significant pain and interrupt your work and family life.
5. Rectal Pain: whether caused by an abscess, fissure (small tear), or stricture, a colorectal surgeon can find the source and address it quickly in surgery
6. Rectal Prolapse: Thru a minimally invasive robotic surgery, rectal prolapse can be corrected and you can go back to having a more normal function!
7. Pilonidal Cysts: small cysts near the base of the tailbone, removal of the cyst is often the best treatment to prevent further infections
A colorectal surgeon can also perform routine colonoscopies to screen for colon cancer or other conditions. If you have any concerns or symptoms related to the colon, rectum, or anus, it is recommended to consult a colorectal surgeon for evaluation and treatment.
WHAT CAN A COLORECTAL SURGEON DO FOR ME?
A colorectal surgeon is a specialist who is trained to diagnose and treat conditions related to the colon, rectum, and anus. Here are some of the things a colorectal surgeon can do for you:
1. Diagnosis: A colorectal surgeon can diagnose conditions such as colon cancer, rectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and rectal prolapse through a physical examination, diagnostic colonoscopy, and reviewing of imaging, laboratory testing, or previous treatments.
2. Treatment: A colorectal surgeon can provide both surgical and non-surgical treatment options for conditions related to the colon, rectum, and anus. Some common procedures include hemorrhoidectomy, colectomy (removal of all or part of the colon), rectal repair, creation or reversing of a colostomy, and anal fistulotomy.
3. Minimally invasive surgery: Colorectal surgeons are skilled in performing minimally invasive surgeries such as laparoscopic and robotic surgery, which involve smaller incisions, less pain, and faster recovery time compared to traditional open surgeries.
4. Cancer treatment: If you are diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer, a colorectal surgeon can perform surgical procedures to further biopsy or remove the cancerous tissue. They can also work with an oncologist to provide a comprehensive cancer treatment plan.
5. Management of chronic conditions: If you have a chronic condition such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, your gastroenterologist may suggest that you see a colorectal surgeon to discuss surgical interventions.
6. Prevention: Colorectal surgeons can perform routine colonoscopies to screen for colon cancer or other conditions, and provide advice on lifestyle changes and preventive measures to reduce the risk of developing colorectal diseases.
In summary, a colorectal surgeon can diagnose, treat, and manage a wide range of conditions related to the colon, rectum, and anus, and provide guidance on prevention and long-term care.
WHY IS COLORECTAL SURGERY IMPORTANT?
- Treatment of cancer: Colon cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths among men and women in the U.S.A. combined. Early detection and surgical removal of cancerous and non-cancerous polyps can improve the chances of cure and prevent the spread of cancer to other parts of the body.2. Management of inflammatory bowel disease: Colorectal surgery can help manage the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Surgery may be necessary to remove parts of the colon or rectum that are damaged or inflamed and are not responding to other treatments.3. Treatment of complications: Colorectal surgery can be used to treat complications of colorectal conditions such as bowel obstruction, abscesses, fistulas, and perforations. Surgery may also be necessary to repair or remove parts of the colon or rectum that are damaged due to injury or infection.
4. Minimally invasive techniques: Advances in technology have made it possible to perform many colorectal surgeries using minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopy and robotic surgery. These techniques involve smaller incisions, less pain, and faster recovery times compared to traditional open surgeries.
5. Improved quality of life: Colorectal surgery can significantly improve the quality of life for patients with colorectal conditions. Surgery can relieve symptoms such as pain, bleeding, and bowel dysfunction, and enable patients to resume normal activities.
In summary, colorectal surgery plays an important role in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of a wide range of colorectal conditions. It can improve the chances of cure for cancer, manage the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, and improve the quality of life for patients.
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