Colorectal Surgery

Excellence in Colon and Rectal Care

When you have a colorectal condition, it can affect your overall wellbeing and quality of life.  Your symptoms may make it difficult or uncomfortable to complete routine tasks and activities. While some conditions can be treated with medications, colorectal surgery can also be part of an effective treatment plan to get you feeling better.

St. Joseph’s Health is one of New Jersey’s premiere colorectal surgery programs, offering the latest in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders affecting the colon, rectum, and anus.  Our specialized surgeons have undergone additional fellowship training and have earned board certification in both general surgery and colorectal surgery.  We use evidence-based techniques with the latest surgical equipment to provide exceptional care for patients.  We perform minimally invasive surgery, laparoscopic and robotic surgery, which helps patients recover faster. We also perform screening colonoscopies, which play a role in colorectal cancer prevention. This helps identify early cancers and remove colon and rectal polyps that may develop into cancer.

Our specialists work together with you to determine the best treatment plan based on your concerns, symptoms, and goals.  We take our time to explain the diagnosis and treatment plan and are committed to helping you make an informed decision as to whether surgery is the right option for you.

Conditions We Treat

Our Colorectal team treats a wide spectrum of medical conditions, including:

• Benign anorectal conditions
  • Fecal incontinence
  • Fissures
  • Fistulas
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Pelvic floor disorders
• Benign colon diseases
  • Diverticulitis
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s and Ulcerative colitis)
• Malignancies/Cancer
  • Anal cancer
  • Colon cancer and polyps
  • Rectal cancers and polyps

Advanced Treatment Options

Our colorectal surgeons use minimally invasive techniques, advanced robotic and laparoscopic procedures, even during complex cases. This approach allows for a faster recovery, fewer days in the hospital and less pain after surgery. Patients often can be discharged one or two days after surgery and return to their daily activities within a few weeks after major colon surgery.

• Laparoscopy: surgery is performed through small key-hole incisions and using a camera
  • Robotic: surgery is performed through small key-hole incisions and using a robotic camera while surgeon guides robotic arms to make ultra-precise movements
  • Transanal approach: surgery is performed via the anus to remove tumors and other rectal growths

When possible, our surgeons try to avoid the need for an ostomy bag (a bag worn outside the abdomen to collect waste). We specialize in reconstructive techniques for people who need to have the colon and rectum removed. We use minimally invasive techniques to help keep your body as natural as possible by trying to preserve the sphincter. We recognize that in some cases an ostomy bag may be required, either temporarily or permanently. In these instances, we provide full ostomy care.

Enhanced Recovery After Colorectal Surgery

Our team utilizes enhanced recovery pathways recommended from the latest research to improve healing after colorectal surgery. These recommendations aim to lower the risk of complications and infections, reduce the need for pain medication, and promote a fast-track to recovery. The pathway includes nutritional supplementation with protein, reduced use of opioids and IV fluids, introducing solid food and walking sooner. These actions allow your gut to “wake up” and have earlier return of bowel function.

This combination of minimally invasive surgery and enhanced recovery pathways has allowed our colorectal patients to safely leave the hospital in just a few days. At your initial consultation with our surgeons, we thoroughly explain what is necessary to help your recovery upon discharge and at home. We provide you with a booklet with pertinent information to guide you through all phases of care, from preoperative phase to the discharged home phase. This ensures that patients obtain all the essential information necessary for their treatment plan. Our surgeons and their staff are readily available for all your needs at any point during your care.

Contact Us

We have several locations available for outpatient anorectal procedures and colonoscopies, including in Wayne, Totowa and Paterson.  In addition, we perform more specialized surgeries at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson, NJ.