Background

Historically, surgery of the colon and rectum (large intestine) was considered to be an integral part of general surgery. Despite this, disorders of the anus (and more recently the rectum) have been subject to specialty management in some centres for many years.

An expanding knowledge base and a capacity to provide more favourable outcomes for increasingly complex intestinal problems fostered the development of the specialty of colorectal surgery. Individuals such as the late Dr Edward Wilson (Sydney Hospital), the late Professor Sir Edward Hughes (Alfred Hospital), Professor Murray Pheils (Concord Hospital) and Dr Mark Killingback were, amongst others, pre-eminent in modern times in supporting the need for special interest and experience in colorectal surgery.

The Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons has existed since 1966 and is comprised of experienced colorectal surgeons, as well as trained general surgeons who have an interest in colorectal surgery but who have not necessarily undergone advanced training in the specialty.

1992 saw the first graduates of a specialised training programme in colorectal surgery within Australia and New Zealand. Originally under the auspices of the Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, it is now jointly administered by that Section and the Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand. Prior to that time specialised colorectal surgical training was only undertaken overseas, initially in the United Kingdom, and in later years, in the United States of America.