Diseases of the Colon PDF

Preface

Some specialties, such as psychiatry, are mainly solitary endeavors where a physician and a patient may work together. Other specialties, such as primary care, function as a central hub, surrounded by various specialists who can consult as needed. In contrast, diseases of the colon require an in-depth collaboration between gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons.

In considering this endeavor at its inception, we noted that there were numerous books on general gastroenterology, usually authored, naturally, by gastroenterologists; likewise, numerous texts on colonic surgery have been authored by surgeons. We sought to closely integrate these two allied specialties. Granted, some gastroenterology textbooks include chapters written by surgeons and vice versa. However, these books did not seem to be fusions between the disciplines. Therefore, we designed a book that would require intimate cooperation in writing each chapter, which certainly mirrors the interdisciplinary relationships practiced every day by our two specialties. This methodology ensures that the reader will acquire a significant fund of knowledge from the allied specialty. Surgeons will learn how gastroenterologists approach a problem and vice versa. Their insights will be invaluable and will improve the efficiency of their approach to these disorders.

To fulfill this goal, we have provided a current compendium of most major colonic disorders, and in almost all cases, have required that the chapter be coauthored by at least one surgeon and one gastroenterologist. In doing so, this unique mixture hopefully highlights the often-differing emphasis that our two skill sets bring to the care of our patients. Our aim was to provide a useful, definitive, and concise reference source for internists, gastroenterologists, and general and colorectal surgeons, as well as residents and fellows in these disciplines. From this publication the reader will learn all facets of both the medical and surgical management of the entire gamut of disorders of the colon.

We have been extremely fortunate in having many of the world's experts in their respective areas agree to participate, and we are grateful to them. In fact, a number of our authors have commented to us that being ‘‘forced'' to approach their topic with a (often new) coauthor from the sister discipline was quite enlightening, and brought them new insights into their respective topics. We know our readers will share these insights and find that having both viewpoints simultaneously presented will provide a well-balanced and ultimately useful guide to the care of these patients. These presentations will allow the readers to appropriately adjust their practice to the interdisciplinary levels discussed in these chapters.

In addition to the number of experts, the editors are very indebted to Ms. Elektra McDermott, who has shepherded this project ably, tirelessly, and wisely from inception to completion. Equally, we thank Sandra Beberman at Informa Healthcare, who saw the value in this collaborative effort early on and has championed it throughout.

This work will be a useful tool for our fellow practitioners, who strive daily to provide exceptional care to their patients with colonic disorders, and to the patients who we humbly and gratefully serve.