If you are having issues in the anal region, you probably need to visit a proctologist who is a general surgeon with a special interest in the diseases of the anal region including piles, fissures, fistula, and pilonidal sinus. These disorders are located at the end of the alimentary canal. Patients seeking early treatment may be managed conservatively, avoiding surgery.

Dr Kushal Mital aims to inform the population at large that most of the proctological diseases can be prevented by lifestyle modifications. For instance, straining during bowel movements leads to formation of piles as anal cushions become enlarged, and passing hard stools can cause anal mucosa to tear, forming anal fissures.

Dr Kushal, a pioneer in the field of proctology, earned his MS and MBBS degrees from MLN Medical College, Allahabad University, Prayagraj in 1991. His journey as a colorectal surgeon began in 2003 when he realized how neglected this branch has been. Proctological problems comprised 30-40 percent of surgical practice, yet it was never fully addressed in surgical postgraduate training.

There were only a handful of surgeons addressing these problems head-on. He was motivated by stalwart surgeons, Late Dr P.N Joshi and Dr Parvez Sheikh, who eventually served as his mentors in his journey in the field.

Dr Kushal pursued the Fellowship of the Indian Association of Colon and Rectal Surgeons in 2004. Recognizing a significant need for formal proctology education in India, he dedicated himself to honing his proctological abilities and professing the techniques of Minimally Invasive Proctology to surgeons globally. As a part of his ongoing efforts to further the field, he has since held over 2200 programs both domestically and internationally. He became the Director of the Minimally Invasive Proctology course at IMMAST, Mumbai in 2017, which offers 30 surgeons a three-day hands-on training course every month. To date, 50 courses have been successfully completed at IMMAST.

In addition, he became Director of Minimally Invasive Proctology at SMART Center, GEM Hospital, Chennai which conducts a three- day program with the inclusion of live surgeries, and has conducted six courses to date. These courses prepare general surgeons to become a minimally invasive proctologist, all across India. Dr Kushal’s objective is to train surgeons to become experts and make proctological surgeries safer, easier, and reproducible. He is also set to become the President of the Association of Colorectal Surgeons of India from September 2025-2027.

Dr Kushal is efficient in managing surgical procedures and making sure that patient care keeps up with contemporary developments in his capacity as Medicare Hospital’s Medical Director. As a result of his leadership, the hospital has adopted minimally invasive surgery in several specialties, meeting the increasing need for shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times. Many operations have been successfully converted from standard open surgeries to minimally invasive techniques by Dr Kushal and his team, which also includes his wife Dr Nupur Mital, a gynecologist who specializes in endoscopic surgeries and fetal medicine. This shift to minimally invasive surgery facilitates early mobility of the patient and a prompt return to regular activities.

The key to mastering colorectal surgery is rigorous mentorship and hands-on experience

Dr Kushal highlights the significance of appropriate training while utilizing innovative technologies advocating for the cautious and right use of cutting-edge instruments such as endoscopes and lasers to promote smaller incisions and quicker healing. He has been actively associated with multiple associations globally, giving seminars, training surgeons, and sharing his knowledge in the US, UK, Mexico, UAE, Philippines, Italy, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. In September 2024, his book, ‘Anorectal Disorders, a Surgeon’s Perspective’ has been released widely which streamlines surgical procedures to assist surgeons in achieving better outcomes. He has introduced the concept of ‘LIVING BOOK’, adapted from software updates in mobile phones, which utilizes QR codes for interactive access. The book is bound to grow in time with regular updates on new videos, chapters, and technology.


Prioritizing Patient Safety & Education

Dr Kushal promotes greater public knowledge by dispelling myths regarding ailments such as piles, anal abscesses, fistulas, pilonidal sinuses, and fissures through media outreach. “Contrary to popular belief, most anal fissures can be properly treated with medicine and only 10 percent of piles cases require surgery. There has been a surge in the prevalence of ailments like anal fissures, piles, and pilonidal abscesses, mostly due to poor lifestyle choices, especially in the IT industry”, says Dr Kushal. These problems are made worse by the sedentary nature of modern work, extended periods of sitting and low physical activity levels. To avoid these problems, a change in lifestyle is a must, which includes, a diet rich in fiber, plenty of water, daily exercise, spending less than five minutes in the toilet, abstaining from straining during motions, and avoiding fast food, which are some of the things the population at large can do.

To further advance awareness among the population at large, many social programs are held by the Association of Colorectal Surgeons of India across India, like Walkathon, Cyclothon (using cycles), and Bluethon (campaigning on water) to commemorate World Piles Day. Events are organized to sensitize the public about colorectal cancer which can present with rectal bleeding that is often misdiagnosed as hemorrhoids. Free OPDs and surgery are also offered across India.

Expert Guidance & Learning

“It is crucial to learn from experienced mentors to properly understand the complexities of colorectal surgeries. It’s high time that we pay attention towards our health opting for a healthier lifestyle and seek medical attention at the earliest”, concludes Dr Kushal.