Conditions that affect your colon (large intestine) and rectum are treated with colorectal surgery. They are the most common specialty of surgery performed on organs in your abdominal cavity, according to research from 2016. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), surgery is the principal treatment for colorectal cancer in its early stages. According to a 2022 assessment, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer to be diagnosed in the United States. Other gastrointestinal diseases that can be treated with colorectal surgery include: inflammation of the colon (IBD), haemorrhoids, trauma, infections, diverticulitis, bowel obstructions, etc. The total or partial removal of your colon is known as a "colectomy," sometimes known as a "big bowel resection." If only a portion of your gut is removed, it is known as a "partial colectomy," and if your entire colon is removed, it is known as a "total colectomy." A proctectomy is when your rectum is removed. The most common treatment for colorectal cancer is a colectomy. When more traditional medical treatments fail or if someone's life is at risk, they may also be employed to treat other illnesses. A colectomy can be carried out using one of two surgical methods: 1) Open colonoscopy: To remove your colon, your surgeon makes a sizable incision in your abdomen. 2) Colonoscopy through laparoscopy: A large tube with a camera called a laparoscope is inserted by your surgeon through minor incisions. The effectiveness and survival rates of both methods are comparable. A 2020 study, however, discovered that laparoscopic surgery is linked to a faster short-term recovery.