Colorectal and Small Bowel Surgery

Clinical Scope and Treatment Principles

Colorectal and small bowel surgery represent a core component of the activity at Geneva Surgery.
Management encompasses both benign and oncological conditions and is delivered through a structured, patient-centred approach integrating surgical expertise, advanced technology and coordinated perioperative care.

Disease-specific planning and functional preservation

Surgical planning follows disease-specific principles, ensuring oncological rigour when required and functional preservation across all clinical situations.
 
The objective is to treat the underlying pathology while maintaining abdominal wall integrity, pelvic function and overall physiological balance, allowing patients to progress through treatment without unnecessary disruption.
Unrecognizable female patient in white clothes, highlighted handrawn intestine in hands. human digestive system issues concept.

Surgical Strategy and Minimally Invasive Approach

Standard operative strategy

Minimally invasive surgery represents the standard operative strategy, with robotic surgery serving as the primary modality. This approach enables complex dissections and reconstructions to be performed with a high level of control and consistency, particularly in anatomically constrained regions such as the pelvis or upper abdomen, or in complex cases that exceed the limits of standard laparoscopy.

Role of robotic surgery

Robotic surgery extends the scope of minimally invasive techniques, reduces conversion to open procedures and limits surgical trauma while maintaining strict therapeutic objectives.

Oncological and functional principles

When surgical treatment is indicated, procedures are planned and performed in full accordance with established surgical and oncological principles, including appropriate resection margins and comprehensive lymphatic clearance when required. Beyond technical execution, a central objective is to ensure an uncomplicated postoperative course, allowing patients to continue their broader treatment pathway, including oncological care when applicable, without delay.

Perioperative Management and ERAS Integration

Preoperative optimisation

Perioperative care is structured around ERAS-inspired principles, pragmatically integrated into daily surgical practice. This optimized surgical recovery pathway combines rigorous preoperative preparation, an opioid-sparing pain management strategy, early mobilization and close postoperative monitoring.

ERAS-aligned care pathways

Patients remain in hospital until predefined recovery criteria are met, including effective pain control, satisfactory functional autonomy and adequate recovery of digestive function. This organization supports a safe transition to the next phase of care and, when required, to any complementary treatments.

Preparation Before Colorectal Surgery

Prehabilitation and optimisation

Preparation before colorectal surgery is an integral part of the treatment strategy. Patients are included in a structured prehabilitation pathway designed to optimise physical condition, nutritional status and overall medical balance before the operation. This preparation improves tolerance to surgery, reduces the risk of complications and supports a smoother postoperative course.

Bowel preparation protocols

In colorectal surgery, systematic bowel preparation is a standard component of care. All colonic procedures are performed according to established protocols combining mechanical bowel preparation and antibiotic decontamination, in accordance with international recommendations. This evidence-based approach has been shown to reduce infectious complications and supports safe and controlled surgical execution.

Patient information and engagement

Preparation also includes clear and transparent information, enabling patients to understand each step of the surgical pathway and to become active participants in their care. By anticipating and optimising all modifiable factors before surgery, the objective is to create the best possible conditions for a safe procedure and a predictable recovery.

Postoperative Care and Recovery

Thrombosis prophylaxis

Thrombosis prophylaxis is addressed through a comprehensive strategy combining early and continued mobilisation, systematic use of graded elastic compression stockings, intermittent pneumatic compression boots applied during surgery on the operating table, and prophylactic anticoagulation.

Recovery and discharge criteria

Postoperative recovery is closely monitored through coordinated surgical and anaesthesia care. Patients remain hospitalised until predefined recovery criteria are achieved, including effective pain control without routine opioid use, independent ambulation, adequate oral intake and recovery of bowel function. This structured framework supports a safe and predictable transition from hospital care to recovery at home.

Colon Cancer, Rectal Cancer and Multidisciplinary Care

Patients FAQ

Colon surgery may be indicated for colon cancer, complicated or recurrent diverticular disease, bowel narrowing, chronic inflammation, infectious complications, obstruction, or another condition requiring removal of part of the colon. The decision is based on the diagnosis, imaging findings, symptoms, and specialist assessment.

A robotic colectomy involves removing the affected segment of the colon using a robotic-assisted approach. The procedure allows precise dissection, vascular control, appropriate bowel resection, and digestive tract reconstruction when required. It is integrated into a structured perioperative care pathway.

ERAS, or Enhanced Recovery After Surgery, brings together a series of evidence-based principles designed to support recovery. These include preoperative preparation, early mobilisation, early return to eating, opioid-sparing pain management, avoidance of unnecessary drains, and clearly defined discharge criteria. The aim is to reduce the physiological stress of surgery and promote a safer recovery.

Recovery depends on the type of procedure and the patient’s overall condition. It focuses on effective pain control, early mobilisation, return to eating, restoration of bowel function, clinical monitoring, and a progressive return to normal activities.

colorectal and small bowel surgery

Educational Resources

Educational case material

Selected educational surgical cases are shared through dedicated media platforms. These resources provide insight into surgical strategy and execution while maintaining patient confidentiality and clinical discretion, and do not replace individual consultation or personalised medical evaluation.