Colorectal surgery encompasses a wide range of procedures, from diagnostic screenings and treatment for hemorrhoids to treating cancer to complex surgeries to repair your colon. Earl McAllister, MD, FACS, is an expert in minimally invasive techniques that produce optimal results, promote healing, and help restore your health. Whether you need a colonoscopy or surgery for one of the many colorectal conditions, call Florida Medical Clinic in Tampa, Florida, or book an appointment online for a personal consultation.
Dr. McAllister improves each patient’s quality of life with surgical interventions for any number of diseases affecting the colon and rectum. These are only a few of the most common conditions he treats:
IBD is an umbrella term that includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Both conditions cause chronic inflammation and symptoms such as abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, and malnutrition.
Hemorrhoids develop when blood vessels around your anus become inflamed and swollen. You can develop internal hemorrhoids (in the lining of the anus and lower rectum) and external hemorrhoids (under the skin around your anus).
Diverticula are small pouches that protrude out from the wall of the large intestine. When these sacs become inflamed and infected, you have a condition called diverticulitis. This condition is primarily known for causing pain and putting you at risk for a perforated colon wall.
Most adults should get a colonoscopy to screen for colon cancer around the age of 45-50. However, you may need earlier screening if you have a higher risk for colon cancer, such as a family history of the disease.
The colonoscope is a thin, flexible tube that contains a video camera and lighting. As it’s guided through your colon, it sends a high-definition image of the colon to a monitor.
During a colonoscopy, Dr. McAllister visually examines your rectum and colon. When polyps are identified, he removes them by inserting surgical tools along with the colonoscope.
Since colon cancer begins in polyps, a colonoscopy protects your health by removing polyps before they turn cancerous or by finding cancerous changes at an early stage.
If you’re diagnosed with colon cancer, you can depend on Dr. McAllister’s surgical experience to perform a tumor resection to remove the cancer along with surrounding tissues that are affected.
Dr. McAllister performs many types of colorectal surgery, so he spends time with each patient to develop individualized treatment. But whenever possible, he recommends minimally invasive surgery.
Minimally invasive surgery uses a few small incisions, which causes less trauma than traditional open surgery. As a result, you have less postoperative pain, recover more quickly, and you have minimal scarring.
Dr. McAllister also has extensive training and experience performing minimally invasive colorectal surgery using the da Vinci® Surgical System. As he controls the robotic system, you gain the benefit of his surgical expertise with the enhanced precision of robotics.
If you experience symptoms of gastrointestinal problems or you’d like to learn more about your options for colorectal surgery, call Florida Medical Clinic or book an appointment online.
