About Us

About Us

Why choose us?

Our colorectal surgeons perform more than 5,000 surgical procedures annually, including an average of 500 laparoscopic intestinal resections, 260 operations to treat Crohn’s disease, 170 ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) surgeries, and more than 400 colorectal cancer operations.

The Digestive Disease and Surgical Institute (DDSI) colorectal surgeons performed the world’s first total proctocolectomy and ileoanal pouch procedure with a single-incision, and continue to perform the world's highest volume of J-pouch procedures and is the nation's largest referral center for repairing pelvic pouches.  We are also one of the highest volume colorectal cancer surgery centers in the United States, and continually meet the highest national quality benchmarks and oncologic outcomes. Additionally, we specialize in locally advanced colon and rectal cancer, as well as cytoreduction and heated intrapertoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for metastatic disease (i.e., carcinomatosis).

Our surgeons use the latest in diagnostic and treatment options, including transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM), transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS), transanal Total Mesorectal Excision (taTME), robotic surgery and intraoperative radiotherapy.

DDSI colorectal surgeons utilize various surgical methods to avoid a permanent colostomy in the treatment of rectal cancer.

These options include:

  • Transanal excision (e.g., taTME, TEM, TAMIS).
  • Excision of the entire rectum with anastomosis of the colon to the anus.
  • Intersphincteric resections.

DDSI houses the largest institutional registries for inherited colon cancer – David G. Jagelman Inherited Colorectal Cancer Registries in the United States and the second largest in the world.

Cleveland Clinic was the birthplace of Enterostomal Therapy/Wound Ostomy, Continence Nursing nearly 50 years ago. DDSI's Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing School was the first of its kind in the world.

Success rates

Colorectal surgeons avoid a permanent colostomy in approximately 80% of rectal cancer cases.

On a national level, the Department of Colorectal Surgery mortality index and length of stay are considerably below expected norms.

Our long term outcomes are among the best in the world, with some of the lowest rates of recurrence of rectal cancer.

Get more information on Pediatric Colorectal Surgery.

What We Treat

What We Treat

Colorectal cancer

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)

Familial inherited colorectal neoplasia

Rare tumors of the small and large bowel

  • Intestinal lymphoma
  • Neuroendocrine (carcinoid) tumors
  • Gastrointestinal stromal tumors
  • Presacral tumors
  • Appendiceal neoplasms
  • Small intestinal adenocarcinoma
  • Mesenteric fibromatosis

Diverticular disease and other colitis

  • Diverticulitis
  • Diverticular abscesses and fistulas
  • Segmental colitis associated with diverticular disease (SCAD)

Benign anorectal disease

Enteric fistulas

  • Enterocutaneous fistulas
  • Colocutaneous fistulas
  • Others

Colonoscopy

Functional bowel disorder

Other

  • Ischemic colitis
  • Collagenous colitis
  • C difficile colitis requiring surgery
  • Chronic granulomatous colitis
  • Sclerosing mesenteritis
  • Aseptic abscesses
Ohio Doctors

Ohio Doctors

Florida Doctors Appointments & Locations

Appointments & Locations

Make an appointment

To find a colorectal specialist for your needs, contact the Digestive Disease & Surgery Institute at 216.444.7000 (or toll-free 1.800.223.2273, ext. 47000).

Patient Resources

Patient Resources

For more information

Patient stories

Podcasts

Cleveland Clinic podcast Butts and Guts explores your digestive and surgical health from end to end. You’ll learn how to have the best digestive health possible from your gall bladder to your liver and more from our host, Colorectal Surgery Chairman Scott Steele, MD.

Health Essentials

Find helpful posts from Cleveland Clinic’s Health Essentials site. Discover the latest colorectal surgery health and wellness tips.

For Medical Professionals

For Medical Professionals

Referrals

Please call our Referring Physician Hotline at 855.REFER.123 (855.733.3712) that is available every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST.

Podcasts

Cleveland Clinic podcast Cancer Advances is a podcast for medical professionals, exploring the latest innovative research and clinical advances in the field of oncology with host Dale Shepard, MD.

Consult QD

Find helpful posts from Cleveland Clinic's site for physicians and healthcare professionals. Discover the latest colorectal surgery research insights, innovations, treatment trends and more: