The Centre for Colorectal Diseases will be the first of its kind, integrated multidisciplinary centre in Asia. Based at the flagship Apollo Main Hospital at Chennai, the centre aims to deliver quality care to all patients with colorectal diseases (notably colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and pelvic floor diseases) while at the same time developing high quality research, teaching and education all under one roof.
At the core of the Centre, is the collaboration between a multidisciplinary clinical team (consisting of colorectal surgeons, medical gastroenterologists, oncologists, pathologists, radiologists and specialist nurses) with our dedicated team of scientific and academic staff.
This group of healthcare professionals will provide an integrated organ specific, holistic approach to all colorectal problems. Our collaborative approach has been achieved largely because of continued close surgical and medical interaction resulting in a strong tradition in the joint management of colorectal diseases.
The Centre for Colorectal Diseases will deliver outstanding clinical care through the following flagship programmes:
The One Stop Colorectal Clinic will see patients who present with symptoms of colorectal diseases such as rectal bleeding and altered bowels. Patients will be assessed, examined, investigated, diagnosed and treatment initiated on the first visit by colorectal specialists making it simple and uncomplicated for our patients to seek help when required.
The Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme will screen patients who present with symptoms of Colorectal Cancer. Colorectal cancer is on the rise with rapid urbanization and changing lifestyles. There is an increased incidence of rectal cancer in young Asian males. Patients who present with the following symptoms for more than 4 weeks should be referred to the colorectal screening programme: blood in Stool, irregular bowel habits (constipation/diarrhoea), pain in abdomen, iron deficiency anaemia, weakness/fatigue and decreased appetite or weight loss. Screening Saves Lives.
The Apollo Pelvic Floor Centre provides specialist services for people with pelvic floor disorders. Pelvic floor disorders are common in men and women of all ages. In broad terms they can be divided into incontinence (faecal and urinary leakage) and obstructed defecation (difficulty with emptying the bowel). Many patients will have a combination of both problems. Patients are often reluctant to seek medical advice through embarrassment or a mistaken perception that nothing can be done. As many as 40% of women are affected with pelvic floor dysfunction post vaginal delivery. The magnitude of the problem is so huge that a focused streamlined approach in dealing with these patients becomes absolutely vital. Spearheaded by the Institute of Colorectal Surgery, the multidisciplinary team from Colorectal Surgery, Medical Gastroenterology, Urology, Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Nursing will provide a comprehensive assessment and treatment to all patients with pelvic floor problems.
Dr Prathap C Reddy, Founder & Chairman of Apollo Hospitals Group said “We are privileged to open Asia’s first such state of the art centre for Colorectal diseases. Our philosophy has always been Prevention is better than cure. Early detection and intervention can help nip the problem at the bud. We hope to help save many lives with this holistic approach to identifying and treating colorectal diseases from an early stage and we encourage people to take up a preventive screening test as early as possible”
The Robotic Colorectal Surgery Programme
This programme which is already the second busiest in the country offers cutting edge minimally invasive surgical techniques and technology in the treatment of patients with colorectal diseases. This advancement has greatly benefitted patients who present with colorectal diseases particularly in the treatment of rectal and pelvic disorders such as rectal cancer or rectal prolapse.
Compared to traditional open surgery, we are able to perform complex rectal procedures with very small or tiny incisions resulting in less pain and quicker recovery. Compared to laparoscopic surgery, Robotic surgery offers better visibility due to magnification X 10 times, better instrumentation, ability to perform technically challenging procedures/manoeuvres like removing a very low rectal cancer with more ease and conversions to open procedures due to difficulty are much less when compared to laparoscopic surgery.
In Rectal Cancer Surgery better magnification of vital structures, less blood loss, better chance of avoiding permanent bags/colostomy, cancer clearance rates similar to Laparoscopic/Open surgery give us better oncological and functional outcomes.
Robotic surgery offers better Quality of life outcomes: quicker recovery in Gastrointestinal function, faster discharge, better sexual and motion/urine control and cosmetically better results.
The Institute of Colorectal Surgery, Apollo Hospitals Chennai, conducted it’s first Continuing Medical Education Programme on Minimal Invasive Colorectal Surgery on 22nd June 2016. The keynote lecture was given by Prof. P.N. Haray, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon at Prince Charles Hospital, UK and it was well attended by over 100 doctors and healthcare professionals.
