{"id":4385,"date":"2024-06-10T10:47:20","date_gmt":"2024-06-10T07:47:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/?page_id=4385"},"modified":"2025-07-03T12:36:54","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T09:36:54","slug":"giati-proktologos","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/giati-proktologos\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Proctologist?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-a1f42271\">\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-cb011066\">\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em><strong>Because <strong>proctology<\/strong> is a distinct and challenging subspecialty of surgery.<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em><strong>Because it requires <strong>humor, seriousness, discretion, kindness<\/strong>, and the ability to remain calm in difficult situations.<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em><strong>Because patients with anal problems also deserve <strong>accurate diagnosis and effective treatment<\/strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Proctology stands apart as a difficult surgical field. It demands a blend of professional and human traits. Anal disease patients need empathetic and skilled care. The late Ioakeim Thanasoglou from Constantinople, one of the first Greek proctologists, was our mentor and inspiration. Specializing in proctology remains a constant challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Welcome to our scientific website. The &#8220;Anal Surgery Clinic&#8221; offers <strong>high-quality services<\/strong> for the diagnosis and treatment of anal diseases. We are equipped with the most advanced technology for accurate diagnostics, focusing on <strong>simple, conservative treatment whenever possible<\/strong>, avoiding unnecessary surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Importance of Proctology<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Historically, proctology was considered the <strong>&#8220;poor relative&#8221; of medicine<\/strong> \u2014 dealing with conditions that doctors found trivial and patients found embarrassing. Around 30 years ago, we faced <strong>mockery and skepticism<\/strong> when we chose to specialize in this field. But we were determined, because treatment outcomes were often mediocre and patient care inadequate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, awareness of the importance of proctology is growing among the medical community. <strong>Anal conditions are common<\/strong>, significantly impact quality of life, and create <strong>a financial burden<\/strong> on the healthcare system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The anal area is vital. <strong>Proper defecation is key to physical and psychological well-being.<\/strong> The anal sphincters control gas and stool, and their role is critical. The area is sensitive, densely innervated, and must be handled with care. It is also <strong>prone to infection<\/strong>, making <strong>balanced, appropriate hygiene essential<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Historical Background<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The first recorded treatments for hemorrhoids and fistulas date back to ancient Greece with Hippocrates. Despite skepticism, proctology as a specialty began in 1835. The first official proctologist, Herbert William Allingham, appeared in the U.S. in 1895.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The field advanced in the UK with Frederick Salmon, who founded <strong>St. Mark\u2019s Hospital<\/strong> for anorectal disease. In France, key figures like <strong>Ernest Parnaud<\/strong> and <strong>Jean Arnous<\/strong> shaped the specialty at <strong>L\u00e9opold Bellan Hospital<\/strong> in Paris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Their student, <strong>Ioakeim Thanasoglou<\/strong>, originally from Cappadocia, was my mentor. I had the privilege of training at both <strong>St. Mark\u2019s in London<\/strong> and <strong>L\u00e9opold Bellan in Paris<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Anal Diseases and Treatments<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Proctology deals with very <strong>common and disabling conditions<\/strong>: hemorrhoids, fistulas, fissures, incontinence, warts, prolapse, and pruritus. Nearly <strong>1 in 2 adults<\/strong> will experience hemorrhoids by age 50. But <strong>not all hemorrhoids need surgery<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At any time:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>4\u20135 out of 100 people have hemorrhoids<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1\u20132 per 10,000 suffer from anal fistulas<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fecal incontinence affects ~10% of older adults<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In long-term care facilities, the rate of incontinence is <strong>3 times higher<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>HPV-related anal infections occur in:<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>24% of heterosexual men<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>50% of homosexual men<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Anal intercourse is associated with increased risk of certain conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Proctology: A Clinical Discipline<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike other specialties that rely on lab tests or scans, <strong>proctology is deeply clinical<\/strong>, placing the <strong>doctor-patient relationship<\/strong> at the center of diagnosis and treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A <strong>detailed history<\/strong> and <strong>thorough clinical exam<\/strong> are often enough.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ultrasound<\/strong> of the area helps diagnose inflammation and incontinence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>High-resolution anoscopy<\/strong> is crucial for detecting <strong>HPV infection<\/strong>, especially in MSM.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Patient education<\/strong> is key \u2014 about treatments, hygiene, and toilet habits.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Most patients only know the term <strong>\u201chemorrhoids\u201d<\/strong>, so education is essential to explain their real condition and correct any self-diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-64a34483 gb-headline-text\">Training and Patience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Proctology requires a wide knowledge base. While most proctologists are trained in general surgery, they must also draw from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Psychiatry<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Microbiology<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gynecology<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gastroenterology<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dermatology<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Oncology<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Radiology<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It requires:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Delicacy when discussing sexually transmitted infections<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Flexibility across age groups and lifestyles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Creativity in complex cases<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-24b00f40 gb-headline-text\">Proctology is the specialty of patience.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Because the area is prone to infection, <strong>healing is slow<\/strong> and requires daily wound care and close follow-up. Yes, there is <strong>fear that anal surgery is painful<\/strong>, but this is <strong>not always true<\/strong> \u2014 thanks to modern tools and <strong>minimally invasive techniques<\/strong>. We avoid large incisions, prefer <strong>targeted, small procedures<\/strong>, and use <strong>new, specialized technologies<\/strong>. Some of these innovations have been short-lived and commercially motivated, offering only temporary benefit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-f8931fc0 gb-headline-text\">Real-World Outcomes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When correctly targeted, <strong>anal procedures often deliver immediate, dramatic results<\/strong>. Most <strong>minor surgeries can be done in-office under local anesthesia<\/strong>, with no hospitalization. On the other hand, <strong>complex high fistulas<\/strong> remain one of the <strong>most difficult challenges in medicine<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They may require:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Multiple surgeries<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Long-term follow-up<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Doctor-patient <strong>trust and perseverance<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Temporary setbacks are normal. They should not discourage either the physician or the patient. A relationship of <strong>mutual patience and understanding<\/strong> is essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>With respect, Apostolos Stamatiadis &amp; Ioannis Gkegkes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Proctology stands apart as a difficult surgical field. It demands a blend of professional and human traits. Anal disease patients &#8230; <a title=\"Why Proctologist?\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/giati-proktologos\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Why Proctologist?\">More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3785,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4385","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Why Proctologist? - Proctology<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/giati-proktologos\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Why Proctologist? - Proctology\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Proctology stands apart as a difficult surgical field. It demands a blend of professional and human traits. Anal disease patients ... More\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/giati-proktologos\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Proctology\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-07-03T09:36:54+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/about-us-hero.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"400\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/giati-proktologos\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/giati-proktologos\/\",\"name\":\"Why Proctologist? - Proctology\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/giati-proktologos\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/giati-proktologos\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/about-us-hero.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-06-10T07:47:20+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-07-03T09:36:54+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/giati-proktologos\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/giati-proktologos\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/giati-proktologos\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/about-us-hero.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/about-us-hero.jpg\",\"width\":1920,\"height\":400},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/giati-proktologos\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Why Proctologist?\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/\",\"name\":\"Proctology\",\"description\":\"X\u03b5\u03b9\u03c1\u03bf\u03cd\u03c1\u03b3\u03bf\u03c2 \u03a0\u03c1\u03c9\u03ba\u03c4\u03bf\u03bb\u03cc\u03b3\u03bf\u03c2 \u0391\u03b8\u03ae\u03bd\u03b1\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Proctology\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/logo.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/logo.png\",\"width\":395,\"height\":65,\"caption\":\"Proctology\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Why Proctologist? - Proctology","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/giati-proktologos\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Why Proctologist? - Proctology","og_description":"Proctology stands apart as a difficult surgical field. It demands a blend of professional and human traits. Anal disease patients ... More","og_url":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/giati-proktologos\/","og_site_name":"Proctology","article_modified_time":"2025-07-03T09:36:54+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1920,"height":400,"url":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/about-us-hero.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/giati-proktologos\/","url":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/giati-proktologos\/","name":"Why Proctologist? - Proctology","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/giati-proktologos\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/giati-proktologos\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/about-us-hero.jpg","datePublished":"2024-06-10T07:47:20+00:00","dateModified":"2025-07-03T09:36:54+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/giati-proktologos\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/giati-proktologos\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/giati-proktologos\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/about-us-hero.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/about-us-hero.jpg","width":1920,"height":400},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/giati-proktologos\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Why Proctologist?"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/#website","url":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/","name":"Proctology","description":"X\u03b5\u03b9\u03c1\u03bf\u03cd\u03c1\u03b3\u03bf\u03c2 \u03a0\u03c1\u03c9\u03ba\u03c4\u03bf\u03bb\u03cc\u03b3\u03bf\u03c2 \u0391\u03b8\u03ae\u03bd\u03b1","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/#organization","name":"Proctology","url":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/logo.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/logo.png","width":395,"height":65,"caption":"Proctology"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4385","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4385"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4385\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4389,"href":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4385\/revisions\/4389"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3785"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/proctology.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4385"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}