Colorectal Surgery
Specialty
Colorectal
Surgery
Japan’s leading robotic colorectal surgery programme — delivering cure-first oncological care with maximum preservation of bowel, urinary, and sexual function.
Primary Condition
Colorectal Cancer & IBD
Expertise
Function-Preserving & Oncological Surgery
What We Treat
Conditions We Treat
Our colorectal and anal surgery team provides comprehensive care across the full spectrum of colorectal disease — from endoscopic management of early lesions to complex multidisciplinary treatment of advanced and recurrent cancers.
01 · Primary
Colon Cancer
Surgical resection of colon cancer with lymph node dissection, using laparoscopic or robot-assisted techniques as standard. Our surgeons were national pioneers in robotic colon surgery, beginning before insurance coverage in 2019.
02 · Primary
Rectal Cancer
Robot-assisted rectal resection with autonomic nerve preservation is our standard technique. We specialise in sphincter-preserving approaches (ISR) for low rectal cancer and lateral pelvic lymph node dissection for advanced cases.
03 · Advanced
Recurrent & Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
We perform extended resections for locally recurrent rectal cancer, including multi-organ resections. Liver and lung metastases are managed with both surgery and chemotherapy. We also collaborate with QST Hospital for heavy-ion beam therapy in recurrent rectal cancer.
04 · IBD
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Surgical treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, including total colectomy with sphincter preservation using a combined two-team laparoscopic approach. We coordinate closely with Gastroenterology to optimise the timing of surgery.
05 · Genetic
Familial Adenomatous Polyposis
Prophylactic and therapeutic colectomy for patients with FAP and other hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes, with careful attention to functional outcomes and long-term surveillance.
06 · Benign
Anal & Benign Conditions
Surgical care for haemorrhoids, anal fistula, appendicitis, diverticulitis, and intestinal obstruction. Colorectal polyps are managed endoscopically in collaboration with Gastroenterology.
Our Approach
Robot-Assisted Surgery —A National Centre of Excellence
Since 2019, our department has led Japan in robotic colorectal surgery. Today, robot-assisted surgery is our standard technique for virtually all colorectal cancers. Our surgeons train and proctor surgeons at hospitals across Japan.
Robotic Total Mesorectal Excision (TME)
Robot-assisted rectal resection using the da Vinci Xi enables precise dissection deep in the narrow pelvis, preserving the delicate autonomic nerves that control urinary and sexual function — reducing functional complications compared to open surgery.
Intersphincteric Resection (ISR)
For low rectal cancers near the anal canal, ISR allows curative resection while preserving the external anal sphincter — avoiding a permanent colostomy in selected patients where this would otherwise be necessary.
Lateral Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection
Robot-assisted lateral pelvic node dissection for advanced rectal cancer achieves thorough oncological clearance while protecting autonomic nerve function — one of the most technically demanding procedures in colorectal surgery.
3D Laparoscopic Surgery
For cases where robotic surgery is not indicated, we perform 3D laparoscopic colectomy with meticulous lymphadenectomy, providing excellent visualisation and precision comparable to the robotic approach.
da Vinci Xi —Advanced Robotic Platform
Our department uses the da Vinci Xi Surgical System — the latest generation robotic platform. The surgeon operates from a console, viewing a magnified, high-definition 3D image while controlling articulated instruments that replicate the dexterity of the human hand in spaces far too confined for conventional surgery.
For rectal surgery in particular — where anatomy is complex and functional structures are densely packed — robotic assistance offers a meaningful advantage in both oncological completeness and preservation of quality of life after surgery.
Both rectal cancer (since 2018) and colon cancer (since 2022) are covered by Japanese national health insurance for robot-assisted surgery at our institution.
Multimodal Treatment for Advanced Colorectal Cancer
For locally advanced or high-risk cancers, surgery is combined with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy to maximise cure rates. Neoadjuvant treatment can reduce tumour size before surgery. Conversion therapy — where initially inoperable cancers respond to chemotherapy sufficiently to allow resection — is also available within our clinical trial programme. We actively participate in JCOG and other national clinical trials to ensure our patients have access to the most current evidence-based treatments.
For Patients
Your Care Pathway
We primarily see patients referred by their physicians. If you are unsure which department to attend, our team is happy to assess your case from the outset.
01
Referral
Obtain a referral letter from your physician, including your diagnosis and recent colonoscopy or imaging results.
02
Appointment
Contact the Regional Medical Cooperation Office to schedule your first consultation. Translation support is available for international patients.
03
Assessment
Our team reviews your colonoscopy, CT, MRI, and pathology findings to determine the optimal treatment strategy, discussed with you in full.
04
Treatment
Surgery, chemotherapy, or a combined multimodal plan is agreed with you. Most patients undergoing robot-assisted surgery are discharged around day 6.
Referring a Patient?
We welcome referrals from physicians throughout Japan and internationally. Our Regional Medical Cooperation Office is available for consultation requests and patient transfers. We are glad to discuss complex cases — including locally advanced, recurrent, or metastatic disease — prior to formal referral.