Colon and rectum

Abstract

Complaints related to large bowel and rectal disease are frequent. The physician must be attentive to acute conditions that require active resuscitation and expeditious diagnosis. While many inflammatory bowel conditions may not require acute surgical interventions, surgery may represent an appropriate therapy for acute toxicity or intractable chronic symptoms. Surgical resection is the only option for potential cure of large bowel and rectal cancers. © Springer Science+Business Media, Inc. 2005.