Coloproctology Unit or Clinic

Introduction

A Coloproctology Unit or Clinic may be defined as “an aggregate of human resources and attendant material support for diagnosing, treating and providing follow-up for patients with colorectoanal illness, and for promoting and conducting research into related pathologies.”

The Centro Médico Puerta de Hierro’s Clinic provides integrated, world class care to patients with pathologies of the colon, rectum and anus; improving their effectiveness, efficiency and quality of life. All care is based upon management protocols validated by prestigious institutions and professional associations that are renowned both in Mexico and internationally.  

Information

Technological developments since the past century, as well as the procedural complexity that has been incorporated into diagnosis and treatment for colorectal diseases, have led to the need for creating multidisciplinary teams to deal with such ailments.

From an epidemiological viewpoint – in Mexico, particularly in Jalisco State, and throughout the world – various pathological processes, including those relating to coloproctology, have been on the rise. These disorders have been cause for the establishment of coloproctology units/clinics within hospitals, or free-standing coloproctology clinics – above all in Spain, Australia and the United States, and now in Mexico and Jalisco. Among such disorders are: rectal and colon cancer; chronic non-specific ulcerative colitis; diverticular, pilonidal, and sexually-transmitted conditions; Crohn’s disease; fissures, abcesses and fistulas; rectal prolapse, anal incontinence, hydrosadenitis, anal stenosis; ischemic colitis, colonic and rectal polypsis colonic volvulus or pseudo-obstruction, constipation, vaginal-rectal fistulas; and rectal, colon and anal trauma.

In recent years there have appeared many works emphasizing the impact of the coloproctologist surgeon’s work upon the results of colorectal surgical procedures. The majority of these studies have shown a decrease in mortality rates when intervention is made by surgeons who operate only on colorectal and anal conditions.

Coloproctologist surgeons have contributed, and will progressively contribute, to better quality of life for patients with colorectoanal patologies; given the greater effectiveness and efficiency of their specialized processes. 

An entire laboratory has been generated for the study of anorectal physiopathology. Studies of imaging and anorectal function serve to objectify and unify findings, as well as to create lines of research with multidisciplinary protocols for the advancement and progressive understanding of these diseases.

And still, any colorectal and anal pathology may be diagnosed and treated after a good medical history is taken and an expert clinical exploration is made.