Colon and Rectal Surgery Services

The Rush Approach to Colorectal Surgery

We understand that having colon and rectal surgery is a big decision. That's why we want to help you choose the best treatment options that can improve your quality of life with the fewest side effects.

For example, if you have Crohn's disease or colorectal cancer, our surgeons will talk with you about sphincter-sparing surgery that can safely treat your condition while preserving vital muscles that control your bowels.

Or, if you have hemorrhoids, anal fistulas or other anal and rectal conditions that are disrupting your life, we can provide minimally invasive treatments that improve your symptoms and get you back to your routine as quickly as possible.

We also understand that waiting to see a surgeon can be frustrating. That's why we aim to see you within a week of your appointment request. In some cases, we can even see you on the same day, virtually or in-person.

Rush Excellence in Colorectal Surgery

• Help for complex, recurrent anorectal conditions: If you have a difficult-to-treat hemorrhoid, anal fistula, anal fissure or other condition, Rush specialists at our Oak Brook location offer the latest treatments to help you find relief. This includes laser-guided therapy and other minimally invasive procedures that have less impact on your continence and help you recover more quickly.
• Minimally invasive options: Whenever possible, our surgeons perform procedures using small incisions, so you have less pain, shorter recovery times and reduced scarring. This includes cancer surgeries (called resections). And when you have colon and rectal surgery at Rush, you also benefit from an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol. In this program, your care team guides you in specific steps you can take before and after your surgery to help you return home quickly and safely.
• Tumor removal with no incisions: Rush surgeons are among only a few in the country who offer transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM). With TEM, they can remove small tumors in the rectum through the anus. After TEM, you usually go home the same day and have a quick recovery.
• Chemotherapy during surgery: If you have colorectal cancer, you may benefit from a treatment at RUSH called hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). During HIPEC, a surgeon will deliver heated cancer-killing drugs to the organs immediately after removing a tumor. This reduces the side effects that regular chemotherapy can have on the rest of your body.
• Robotic surgery expertise: Rush University Medical Center was the first hospital in Chicago to install a high-definition version of the da Vinci Surgical System.