Colon and Rectal Surgery in Minnesota

Minimally Invasive Colon and Rectal Surgery at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota

Minimally invasive surgery of the colon and rectum (also known as laparoscopic surgery) requires advanced surgical skills. Mayo Clinic in Minnesota is one of a select group of medical centers that routinely performs the procedures.

The Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery is staffed by surgeons who have completed training in general surgery as well as advanced training in the treatment of colon and rectal problems.

In addition to traditional laparoscopic surgery, colon and rectal surgeons also perform advanced minimally invasive surgical techniques using the computer enhanced da Vinci robotic system. In robot-assisted surgery, small incisions are made for the robotic instruments, which use small, precise movements during the minimally-invasive procedure.

Mayo Clinic colon and rectal surgeons have achieved national and international recognition for technical innovation in colorectal laparoscopic surgery. The group performs over 700 laparoscopic procedures each year.

At Mayo Clinic, almost all colorectal operations may either be done as traditional laparoscopic or as robotic procedures, although robotic surgery may not be possible or appropriate in some patients. The decision regarding a traditional laparoscopic or robotic approach is made by the surgeon based on the patient's individual needs and in consultation with the patient.

Diseases for which Mayo Clinic offers laparoscopic and robotic treatment

• Colon cancer
• Colonic dysmotility – slow-transit constipation
• Diverticulitis, diverticular disease
• Hereditary polyps (e.g., familial adenomatous polyposis)
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Crohn's disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Large polyps that cannot be removed at colonoscopy
• Rectal cancer
• Rectal prolapse

Mayo Clinic in Minnesota offers an integrated team of specialists to diagnose and treat conditions of the rectum and colon. Generally, patients are diagnosed and treatment, including colorectal surgery, is begun in three to four days.

Colon and rectal surgeons work closely with gastroenterologists to rule out diseases with similar symptoms. Determining the correct diagnosis is essential for effective treatment. Mayo Clinic's Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology is highly acclaimed and the largest of its kind in the United States.