Proctology FAQ

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Hemorrhoid Treatment – Anal Pain – Anal Beauty – Colonoscopy

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What is proctology?

Proctology is a surgical specialty focused on the treatment of the
lower gastrointestinal tract, consisting of the anal, rectal and
perianal (around the anus) regions. Proctology overlaps with many
specialties such as surgery, gastroenterology, urology, gynecology and
dermatology.

Proctologists perform a wide range of screening, surgical and
nonsurgical procedures. Therefore, proctology deals with the surgical,
nonsurgical, and endocscopic (colonoscopy) diagnosis and treatment of
diseases affecting the entire lower gastrointestinal tract including the
intestines, rectum, anus, and pelvic floor, as well as the skin around
the anal opening (perianal dermatology).

What is a proctologist?

A proctologist is a surgeon who has completed residency training in
proctology. A proctologist is not a colorectal surgeon or a
gastroenterologist. Proctologists are highly trained and specialized
surgeons.

Dr. Maz is one of only two practicing proctologists in California who
have completed residency training in proctology.

What’s
the difference between a proctologist and a GI or colorectal
surgeon?

A proctologist is not the same as a gastroenterologist (GI) or
colorectal surgeon. Although the fields have some similarities, their
training is different. Proctologists, colorectal surgeons and
gastroenterologists do work together to provide patients with excellent
care, but there are some differences in their approaches.

Gastronenterologists are not surgeons and are limited to endoscopic
treatment modalities. For example, they can diagnose hemorrhoidal
disease, but are not trained to surgically treat hemorrhoids. On the
other hand, colorectal surgeons spend the majority of their training —
five years — in general surgery and then complete a one-year fellowship
in colon and rectal surgery.

Proctologists spend their entire residency training on the surgical
treatment of the anus and rectum, as well as the endoscopic treatment of
this region.

When should I see a
proctologist?

Patients suffering from diseases of the anus and colon should see a
proctologist. These may include:

• Abdominal pain
• Anal abscess
• Anal cancer
• Anal dysplasia
• Anal fissure
• Anal fistula
• Anal pain
• Anal skin tags
• Anal warts (Condyloma)
• Bloating
• Bowel incontinence
• Colorectal cancer
• Constipation
• Crohn’s disease
• Diverticular disease
• Diarrhea
• Fecal incontinence
• External hemorrhoids
• Internal hemorrhoids
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Pelvic floor dysfunction
• Perianal fistulas
• Pilonidal cysts
• Polyps of the colon and rectum
• Pruritis ani (anal itching)
• Rectal bleeding
• Rectocele
• Ulcerative colitis

What procedures
are performed by a proctologist?

A proctologist can provide a wide range of treatment options, from
surgical and nonsurgical procedures to the management of colon health
and wellness. Surgical procedures performed by Dr. Maz include:

• Fistulectomy
• Internal hemorrhoidectomy and external hemorrhoidectomy
• Excision of anal canal lesions
• Excision of perianal and intra-anal condyloma (warts)
• Excision of perianal skin tags
• Excision of thrombosed external hemorrhoids
• Excision of rectal lesions
• Incisions and drainage of anal and rectal abscess
• Pilonidal cystectomy
• Proctoplasty for anal stenosis
• Sphincterotomy for anal fissures
• High resolution anoscopy (HRA)

Nonsurgical procedures performed by Dr. Maz include:

• Sclerotherapy
• Rubber band ligation
• Infrared coagulation
• Treatment for anal skin tags

Endoscopic procedures:

• Diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy

Screening procedures:

• Anal pap smear
• High resolution anoscopy
• HPV screening
• Colon-rectal cancer screening
• Anal cancer screening
• Familial colorectal cancer screening

Pelvic floor procedures:

• Anal/rectal manometry
• Anal/rectal ultrasound
• Electromyography (EMG)
• Pudendal nerve terminal latency testing
• Electrogalvanic stimulation
• Sacral nerve stimulator implantation
• Stem cell therapy

Why choose a
proctologist for hemorrhoid treatment?

It is not unusual to see a proctologist and a GI working together for
a collaborative approach on patient care. However, the difference in
specialty should be noted. Conditions like hemorrhoids are best treated
by a surgeon who specializes in the surgical and nonsurgical treatment
of hemorrhoids, like a proctologist. By seeing a proctologist for
hemorrhoid treatment, a patient has the option of both surgical and
nonsurgical treatment modalties available for optimum care, thereby not
limiting their options.