COLORECTAL SURGERY

SPECIALISTS

Yasmin Halwani

Welcome to the Colorectal Surgery department of the Brunswick Medical Center.

In this department, we specialize in managing colon cancer, rectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and benign disorders of the colon, rectum and anus.

In most cases, you will need a referral to see one of our colorectal surgeons. Your family physician or other specialist will evaluate your condition to determine if you need to be seen by a colorectal surgeon. Once you have been referred simply call the clinic to set up an appointment. Please bring your referral slip with you to your appointment.

The conditions listed below will give you an idea of the care provided. It is not a comprehensive list. If you are seeking care for a condition not listed below, please call the Clinic for more information.

 

ANAL CANCER

Anal cancer involves cancer of the end of the digestive tract. It can involve the lower aspect of the rectum, the anal canal, or the skin surrounding the anus.

BOWEL OBSTRUCTION

A bowel obstruction is a blockage of the intestines. It can occur in the small or large intestine and has many possible causes. In the United States, the most common reasons for blockage of the large intestine are colorectal cancer and narrowing of the colon from stricture after diverticular disease. Additional causes can be from volvulus (twisting of the intestines) or inflammatory bowel disease

COLON CANCER

Colon cancer often begins as small polyps, or adenomatous cells, in the large intestine. The large intestine, also called the colon, is the last part of the digestive tract, and follows the small intestine. Most polyps are benign or premalignant, but if undetected, some can become cancerous over time. Colon cancer can often be prevented, through regular screening tests, including colonoscopy, and a healthy changes in diet and lifestyle

COLON POLYPS

Colon polyps arise from a genetic abnormality in the lining of the large intestine. There are many types of polyps, ranging from benign to pre-malignant. Some polyps may turn into eventual cancer if not removed, underscoring the importance of appropriate evaluation by a specialized physician.

CROHN’S DISEASE

Crohn’s disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease, or inflammation of the colon. It is similar to ulcerative colitis, but can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. Inflammation tends to follow specific patterns and may affect one area more than others. It is associated with different degrees of severity. Many patients with Crohn’s disease may need surgery at some point in their lives; surgery is often done to treat complications related to the disease. Crohn’s disease requires the intervention of a specialized doctor.

DIVERTICULITIS

Diverticulitis results from inflammation of weak areas of the colon wall. This inflammation usually occurs in the sigmoid colon near the end of the large intestine. These weak areas called diverticula can also cause bleeding, but inflammation and bleeding rarely occur at the same time. The weakness is due to the increased pressure in the colon wall, often caused by chronic constipation or a low fiber diet. Diverticles are present in most North Americans over 60 years of age, but not all of them develop inflammation (or diverticulitis).

FAMILY RECTOCOLIC ADENOMATOUS POLYPOSE (LCP)

PAFR is a genetic abnormality that results in the development of hundreds of thousands of polyps in the gastrointestinal tract (upper and lower). Untreated, all these polyps eventually become cancerous. It is a rare cause of cancer overall, reaching only 1% of patients with colon cancer. It can be passed on by parents (affecting 50% of children of affected parents) or develop from a new mutation. Today it is an easily treatable condition.

CRACKS

Cracks are rips of the skin overlying the anus. They can be extremely painful and take months to heal. They are due to the stretching of the anal canal by hard stools or objects inserted into the rectum. They fail to heal due to increased tension in the muscle that does not allow healing of the overlying skin

GASTROINTESTINAL BLEEDING

Bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract ranges from a mild occasional disorder to a life-threatening event. All forms of bleeding require evaluation by a trained physician as they may represent a more serious underlying disorder. Gastrointestinal bleeding is usually divided between the upper part (esophagus, stomach, small intestine) and the lower part (colon and anus) of the gastrointestinal tract.

HEMORRHOIDS

Hemorrhoids are venous structures in the anus. Everyone has it and they help control continence and keep the stool inside. They can get fat, usually after long periods of intense effort, such as constipation and childbirth. The term “hemorrhoids” is often mistakenly associated with other problems in the anorectal area and many inexperienced people use it in the case of anal warts, fistulas and anal cancer.

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES

Inflammatory bowel diseases consist of two distinct entities: • Crohn’s disease • Ulcerative colitis Both disorders may require surgery for a variety of reasons. Our surgeons are specialized in these interventions. Surgery is performed for complications related to the disease or lack of medical management. It may also be necessary as a result of unwanted side effects arising from medical management. All of these can lead to serious bowel section disease that requires the intervention of a trained specialist to effectively manage it.

INTESTINAL FISTULA

Fistulas are abnormal connections between two structures. Most often they touch an area of ​​the rectum or anus with perianal skin. This is called anal fistula. Otherwise, they may relate to the connection between two segments of the small or large intestine, which is generally found in pathological conditions such as Crohn’s disease.

KYSTE PILONIDAL

A pilonidal cyst is an infected hair follicle that occurs at the top of the buttocks. Although the exact mechanism of onset is not fully understood, an infection occurs at the base of the hair follicle at the base of the back and can follow areas of the skin and produce an abscess.

 

POUCHITIS

Pouchitis is a condition that can occur after a particular surgery for ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease or inflammation of the colon. It is similar to Crohn’s disease, but tends to affect only the colon. Inflammation begins in the rectum and extends to the end of the small intestine. It is associated with different degrees of severity. Although most patients with ulcerative colitis do not require surgery, they require the care of a specialized and trained physician.

RADICAL RECTITE

Radiation proctitis is a disorder that occurs after pelvic radiation for any reason. It usually follows the use of pelvic irradiation because of prostate cancer, cervical cancer or anal cancer. The lining of the rectum becomes irritated, friable and prone to bleeding.

CANCER RECTAL

Rectal cancer often starts with cells or small adenomatous polyps in the rectum, the last part of the large intestine. Most polyps are benign or precancerous, but if they are not detected, some may eventually become cancerous. Rectal cancer is often detected by age-appropriate screening tests or for evaluation purposes.

PROLAPSUS RECTAL

Rectal prolapse involves the exit of part of the rectum through the anus. It can affect either the full thickness of the rectal wall or simply the wall (mucosal prolapse). It is often confused with hemorrhoids, which are venous structures in the anal canal. If they expand, these structures can also come out through the anus. Rectal prolapse is often caused by weakening of the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments that support the rectum and attach it to the pelvic bones. Although no one can be touched, the disorder tends to affect older people, those who have had a hysterectomy or multiple deliveries or those who suffer from chronic constipation or neurological disorders.

 

RECTOVAGINAL FISTULAFistulas are abnormal connections between two structures. A rectovaginal fistula is a connection between the rectum and the vagina. It is attributable to multiple causes, but may be associated with inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis (especially after hysterectomy), a history of pelvic radiotherapy, and bowel surgery or cancer.

STOMIE COMPLICATIONS

A stoma is a connection from the intestine to the skin. It can affect the small or large intestine and involves placing a piece of odor-resistant plastic or an ostomy accessory on the opening to collect the stool. This accessory can then be emptied at the convenience of the person. The presence of an ostomy can predispose one to a number of complications, from skin breakdown to hernias, to electrolyte disturbances.

ULCERATIVE COLITIS

Ulcerative colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease or inflammation of the colon. It is similar to Crohn’s disease, but tends to affect only the colon. Inflammation begins in the rectum and extends to the end of the small intestine. It is associated with different degrees of severity. Although most patients with ulcerative colitis do not require surgery, they require the care of a specialized and trained physician.

 

TESTS AND SERVICES 

Biopsy – Rectal Biopsy	Hyfrecation – Perianal Skin Tags
Botox Injections – Anal Fissures	Hyfrecation – Premalignant Lesions
Cautherization (fulguration) – Anal Warts	Incision – Perianal Abscess
Cautherization (fulguration) – Benign Lesions	Procedure – Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
Cautherization (fulguration) – Perianal Skin Tags	Procedure – Rubber Band Ligation
Cautherization (fulguration) – Premalignant Lesion	Surgical Excision of premalignant and benign lesions
Drainage – Perianal Abscess	Surgical Excision – Perianal Skin Tags
Examination – Anorectal	Surgical Excision – Anal Warts (Condylomas)
Examination – Anorectal with anesthetics	Treatment – Rectal Conditions
Hyfrecation – Anal Warts (Condylomas)
Hyfrecation – Benign Lesions

 

CONTACT
Endoscopy Brunswick
955 Saint Jean boulevard , Pointe-Claire, Qc, H9R 5K3

Suite 210
T : 514-364-3636
F : 514-459-3777

 

Monday	8:00AM to 4:00PM
Tuesday	8:00AM to 4:00PM
Wednesday	8:00AM to 4:00PM
Thursday	8:00AM to 4:00PM
Friday	8:00AM to 4:00PM
Saturday	Closed
Sunday	Closed