CENTER FOR

COLORECTAL SURGERY

The Center for Colorectal Surgery opened in Hadassah on January 2009.  This Center aims to promote excellence regarding clinical practice, academic research and resident training in one of the main facets of surgery.

The Center, an integral part of the surgical department, serves as a treating referral center for patients with complex colorectal disorders.  A devoted clinic, where surgical residents examine patients under strict supervision of Dr. Alon Pikarsky, Director of the Center, is operated every week.

A physiologic laboratory serves the Center and all unique tests are available:

v      Anorectal manometry

v      Endo-anal and trans-rectal ultrasound

v      Cinedephecography

v      EMG

v      Pudendal Nerve Terminal Motor Latency

v      Colonic Transit Study

All patients suffering from physiologic abnormalities of the colon and anal sphincters undergo a thorough physiologic evaluation, which tailors management, surgical or conservative. Anorectal biofeedback treatment is also part of the therapeutic armamentarium.

Patients with malignancy of the large bowel and rectum undergo multidisciplinary evaluation in the Center by surgeons, oncologist, radiologist, radiation – oncologists.  The Center also serves as a referral for patients with recurrent tumors from Israel and foreign countries.  Surgical armamentarium for these cases includes pelvic exanteration, surgery combined with Brachitherapy and radio-frequency ablation.

The Center in conjunction with the Gastroenterological Service provides a leading Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center in the country.  Most patients are operated using laparoscopic techniques and the volume of patients with IBD is one of the largest in Israel.

In addition, the Center treats complex anal disturbances such as:

·         Fecal incontinence

·         Traumatic obstetric tears

·         Complex perianal fistulae

·         Complex and recurrent Pilonidal disease

·         Hemorrhoidal disease

All treatment options for hemorrhoidal disease are available, as well as surgical options for fecal incontinence, including sphincteroplasty, graciloplasty and artificial bowel sphincter implantation.

Residents in general surgery rotate in the Center and are exposed to all clinical activity.  Overall over 400 surgical procedures are performed annually in the Center.  The residents are also exposed to academic activity including clinical and basic science research with the opportunity to present results in national and international meetings.