Specialist Colorectal Surgery & Treatment in Perth
Common conditions affecting the colon such as bowel cancer, diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Colorectal surgery involves conditions affecting the colon, rectum, and anus. Early assessment is extremely important as identifying the cause means guiding the right treatment sooner.
Mr Stein provides comprehensive assessment for a wide range of conditions, with treatment focused on relieving symptoms, restoring bowel function, and support long-term health.
You may benefit from specialist review if you have rectal bleeding, a change in bowel habits, abdominal pain, or ongoing discomfort. It is important the cause for these symptoms are investigated promptly.
Diverticular Disease
Diverticular disease occurs when small pouches form in the colon wall, which can become painfully inflamed or infected (diverticulitis). Early diagnosis is important it can often be managed with dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, or short courses of medication.
When repeated attacks are left untreated, they can often cause permanent bowel damage—such as narrow blockages, painful abscesses, or emergency tears, usually resulting in major surgery.
Common Symptoms
Whilst many people live symptom-free, diverticular disease can become active and cause complications such as:
- Painful inflammation or infection of the pouches (diverticulitis), often causing severe lower abdominal pain and fevers.
- Abscesses, or ‘pockets’ of infection that form near the bowel wall.
- Narrowing of the bowel (strictures) caused by scarring, which can lead to blockages.
- Small tears in the bowel wall (perforation).
Treatment
Treatment is generally based on symptoms, imaging, and overall health. Whilst not always required, surgery may be recommended when:
- You experience severe, recurrent attacks of diverticulitis that significantly disrupt your daily life.
- Complications develop, such as a complete bowel blockage, recurrent abscesses, or perforation.
- Conservative management is no longer keeping the condition under control.
Surgical Management
Surgery usually involves removing the affected section of bowel and, where appropriate, joining the healthy ends back together through laparoscopic or open surgery (for complex or emergency situations).
Bowel Cancer
Discovering you need an assessment for bowel cancer is understandably overwhelming, but an early diagnosis is extremely important.
Bowel cancer can be very treatable when detected in its initial stages, often before it has a chance to spread. It also means laparoscopic techniques to remove the tumour are more likely, resulting in less postoperative pain and a faster return home.
Assessment and Diagnosis
When bowel cancer is suspected, early review is important, because:
- Investigations and treatment planning are prioritised, ensuring a clear diagnosis, definitive care plan, and timely treatment.
- Treatment options may include minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, which can reduce the need for more complex open procedures.
Multidisciplinary Care
Treatment is coordinated through a multidisciplinary team, ensuring a well-rounded, individualised plan and continuous support. Mr Stein works closely alongside oncology, radiology, and pathology specialists, to ensure every angle is covered.
Surgical Management
The surgical approach depends on the tumour, the stage of disease, and your overall health. When surgery is required, it generally involves removing the affected section of the bowel and, where appropriate, joining the healthy ends back together, often through laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery, or open surgery, usually recommended for complex cases or emergencies when keyhole surgery is not the safest option.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis means managing a progressive, chronic condition that can disrupt your daily life. An early diagnosis means that inflammation may be controlled before it causes irreversible damage.
Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
Crohn’s Disease can cause inflammation anywhere along the entire digestive tract. It often impacts the full thickness of the bowel wall and can occur in patches, leaving healthy areas in between. Surgery may be needed to manage complications like strictures or fistulas.
Unlike Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis is strictly limited to the large bowel. It causes inflammation and ulcers within the inner lining of the bowel wall. Surgery may be recommended if medical treatments fail to manage flare-ups or to prevent long-term risks.
Common Symptoms
Symptoms can vary and often come and go, with flare-ups followed by periods of remission. Some common include:
- Visible bleeding or dark, tarry stools resulting from ulcers in the intestinal lining.
- Persistent loose bowel movements that are often unexpected.
- Notable weight loss and constant fatigue, often caused by poor nutrient absorption.
- Severe, recurring stomach pains, usually caused by swelling or narrow blockages in the bowel wall.
Multidisciplinary Treatment
Treatment is individualised and coordinated across a multidisciplinary care team, ensuring that every specialist involved is aligned throughout care.
Surgery may be recommended for complications such as strictures, severe inflammation, or disease that is not responding to medical therapy. When surgery is indicated, the approach is tailored to preserve bowel function and support long-term outcomes.
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Discuss Your Treatment Options
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Commonly asked questions
Bowel Symptoms and Signs
I’ve noticed blood in my stool. Should I be worried?
Blood in the stool is common, but it should not be ignored. It can be caused by treatable problems such as hemorrhoids or an anal fissure.
It can also be a sign of a more serious condition. Because the cause cannot be confirmed by appearance alone, rectal bleeding should be assessed by your GP and, if required, a colorectal surgeon.
When does abdominal pain need a surgeon’s review?
Mild bloating or cramping after eating can be normal. Pain should be reviewed if it is severe, keeps coming back, or is getting worse.
Sharp lower abdominal pain may point to diverticulitis or other bowel inflammation. Seek urgent medical review if pain comes with fever, nausea, vomiting, or a swollen, hard abdomen.
What counts as a persistent change in bowel habits?
A change matters when your bowel pattern is noticeably different from your usual routine for more than 4 to 6 weeks.
This may include ongoing diarrhea, new constipation, difficulty emptying your bowels, narrower stools, or alternating between constipation and diarrhea.
Why can bowel conditions cause weight loss or extreme fatigue?
Inflammation in the bowel can reduce how well your body absorbs nutrients, fluids, and vitamins. Over time, this may lead to unplanned weight loss even if you are eating normally.
Some bowel conditions also cause slow, hidden bleeding, which can lead to anemia and ongoing fatigue. Unexplained weight loss or persistent exhaustion should be medically assessed.