Treatments
Colon and rectum
The intestine is divided into a small intestine and large intestine. Surgery on the intestine due to acute inflammations or tumours are relatively common in abdominal surgery. Diseases of the anus are also included in the rectum.
Symptoms
Depending on the disease, the symptoms are very varied. It can lead to nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea or even deficiency symptoms. Many intestinal diseases do not require specific treatment and are self-limiting. However, it is important to recognise those that require treatment with medication or surgery.
Diagnosis
The most important examination for intestinal illnesses is the colonoscopy. As tumours of the large intestine are relatively common, a precautionary colonoscopy is recommended from the age of 50, and even paid for by the health insurance. The earlier the tumour is recognised, the better it can be treated. Colonoscopies are carried out by the gastroenterology department.
Treatment
Classically, there is a close collaboration between the colleagues in the gastroenterology department, in the case of intestinal diseases. Gastroenterology is the non-surgical partner of abdominal surgery.
The majority of operations on the intestine can be carried out with keyhole surgery (laparoscopy), whereby the diseased part of the intestine is removed. This has the advantage that patients recover quicker from the surgery.