Overview
Cleveland Clinic in Florida's Digestive Disease and Surgical Institute colorectal surgeons are world renowned in the advancement of care for colorectal conditions through state-of-the-art research as well as surgical and treatment innovations. Our colorectal physicians, conveniently located throughout southeast Florida from South Florida to the Treasure Coast, specialize in both routine and complex digestive conditions, from functional disorders like fecal incontinence to colon and rectal cancers and inflammatory bowel disease. Our colorectal surgeons, working collaboratively with other specialties, are dedicated to improving the effectiveness of therapeutic treatments, reducing cancer recurrence rates, lessening treatment side effects, and improving patient quality of life.
Colorectal surgeons at Cleveland Clinic in Florida have been recognized for pioneering the development of new surgical procedures and treatments that have led to better outcomes for our patients. Our colorectal surgery program at Cleveland Clinic in Florida’s Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute is known nationally, as one of the largest and most successful rectal cancer surgery programs. It is also a world leader in laparoscopic and re-operative pelvic surgery.
Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital is home to a nationally ranked Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal surgery program. Cleveland Clinic facilities across Florida, including Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Martin Health and Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital, have earned a number of awards and accreditations relating to the digestive health care we provide, such as the designation of “High Performing Hospitals” in colon cancer surgery by the U.S. News and World Report 2022-23. Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital is also the first hospital in Florida, and second in the nation, to earn accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC) administered by the American College of Surgeons.
The colorectal surgeons at Cleveland Clinic in Florida’s Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute are committed to providing excellent, comprehensive colorectal care. Digestive conditions can be complex and debilitating, but help is available. If you are experiencing digestive discomfort with symptoms that include persistent or recurring pain, swelling, bleeding, incontinence or diarrhea, our colorectal physicians can diagnose and treat your condition.
Fact Sheet
What We Treat
Our digestive disease experts treat a wide range of conditions, including:
Diseases
- Colon, Rectal and Anal Cancer
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Crohn’s Disease
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Pouchitis
- Diverticulitis
- Gastrointestinal Bleeding
- Colon Polyps
- Bowel Obstruction
- Familial Adenomatous Polyposis
- Intestinal Fistula
- Constipation
- Rectal Prolapse
- Rectal, Rectovaginal, Rectourethral Fistula
- Stoma (Colostomy and Ileostomy) Complications
- Radiation proctitis
- Hemorrhoids
- Fissure
- Fistula
- Fecal Incontinence
- Anal condyloma
- Anal stenosis
- Anal infections
- Pilonidal Cyst
- Rectal bleeding
- Pelvic floor dysfunction
Treatments & Procedures
Treatments & Procedures Offered at Cleveland Clinic in Florida Facilities
- Colonoscopy
- Advanced polyp removal
- Robotic-assisted (minimally invasive) colorectal surgery
- Laparoscopic colorectal surgery (minimally invasive surgery)
- J Pouch surgery
- Colon resection
- Rectal resection
- Re-operative Colon and Rectal Surgery
- Surgical treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Sphincter sparing procedures (Rectal reconstruction)
- Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery
- Surgery for fecal incontinence
- Surgery for constipation
- Repair of rectal prolapse
- Stoma creation
- Hemorrhoidectomy
- Anal reconstructive surgery
- Fistula repair
- Emergency Colon and Rectal Surgery
- Enterostomal nurses with expertise in wound healing
- Colorectal Physiology Center
Evaluation of fecal incontinence, constipation other functional disorders:
- Anal Manometry
- Defecography
- Anorectal Ultrasound
- Intestinal transit studies
- Nerve testing
Our colorectal physicians are part of a multidisciplinary team of experts that may include Gastroenterologists, Urogynecologists, Plastic Surgeons, Internists, and other specialties. If you do not have a diagnosis, see us for the following symptoms:
- Rectal bleeding
- Pain
- Itch
- Swelling
- Soiling
- Discharge
- Rash
- Fecal Incontinence or Medically intractable Constipation or Diarrhea
Diagnostic Techniques
Endoscopy
Endoscopic procedures are a significant component of a colorectal surgery practice. Colonoscopy performed on an outpatient basis is performed twice weekly by three of four members of the department. Therapeutic endoscopy with either biopsy or polypectomy is performed in almost two-thirds of cases with only one-third being purely diagnostic.
Several studies attesting to surgical endoscopists’ expertise in performing colonoscopy have been performed in the department as part of multi-institutional trials. In addition, we have participated in several bowel prep trials leading to major advances in bowel cleansing regimens.
Rectal Ultrasonography
Rectal ultrasonography allows precise preoperative evaluation of tumor size and location, as well as insight into whether lymph nodes have been affected.
Rectal MRI Coil
A Rectal Magnetic Resolution Imaging (MRI) Coil provides detailed imaging of tumors and lymph nodes. This type of diagnostic system will be routinely employed in the evaluation of rectal cancer. The availability of this technology at Cleveland Clinic in Florida allows optimal management in all cases.
Treatments
Robotic-assisted Colorectal Surgery
One of the biggest advancements in recent years in the treatment of colorectal conditions is the adoption of minimally-invasive robotic-assisted surgery. Robotic-assisted surgery is used to address a range of gastrointestinal conditions including bowel blockages, inflammatory bowel diseases, and colon cancers. This type of surgery generally reduces the time you are in the hospital and complication rates, while providing patients with a quicker recovery. Your surgeon will determine if your condition can be treated with robotic-assisted surgery.
Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery
Laparoscopy has significant proven benefits for the treatment of a wide array of benign and malignant disorders, including less pain, shorter hospitalization, quicker return to full activities, and less scarring. Fifteen years of experience has shown that the approach can be at least as safe as traditional surgical methods, when performed by a surgical team with special training and extensive experience. Laparoscopic surgery, as an alternative to open surgery, when indicated, offers patients an identical operation, performed through an incision that is often 5cm or less in length.
Our surgeons were among the first in the world to gain international acclaim for their expertise in laparoscopic colorectal surgery. In fact, our staff members have performed laparoscopic colorectal surgery procedures for cancer and other disorders of the colon and rectum longer than the faculty in virtually any other training program.
Eligible patients may include individuals with Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, endoscopically irretrievable polyps, rectal prolapse, mucosal ulcerative colitis, and colon and rectal cancer.
Ileal Pouch Surgery
Ileal pouch surgery allows removal of the cancerous and/or precancerous tissue with reconstruction of a new rectum to avoid the need for a permanent colostomy bag (stoma). Ileal pouch surgery is also used to treat chronic ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis. The most commonly used ileal pouch surgery, the J-pouch, was first developed simultaneously in England and in Japan during the 1970s.
There are three types of ileal pouches: J-pouch, S-pouch and the W-pouch. Cleveland Clinic in Florida colorectal physicians have perfected pouch surgeries over the years to provide patients the best outcomes. Modifications, simultaneously introduced in England and at Cleveland Clinic in Florida, have now become the “gold standard” throughout the world. Surgeons at Cleveland Clinic in Florida have one of the largest experiences in the world with ileal pouch surgery.
K-pouch Surgery
K-pouch surgery is mainly used for patients who must have their rectum removed. The primary difference between the K-pouch and ileal pouch surgery is that the K-pouch must be drained via catheter.
Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (TEM)
Our colorectal physicians are experts in transanal endoscopic microsurgery, a minimally invasive technique used to treat selected rectal tumors. The technique allows removal of benign and certain malignant tumors of the rectum without needing an abdominal operation.
Diseases and Conditions
Familial Adenomatous Polyposis
Familial adenomatous polyposis (also know as FAP) is an inherited condition of the colon in which polyps may develop into cancer if not detected and removed early enough. It is an autosomal dominant inherited condition, so children of affected patients have a 50% chance of developing the disease.
FAP continues to be a condition that generates a significant number of patient visits annually. Although relatively few patients undergo surgery for the disease, these patients require frequent screening for cancer via colonoscopy. Surgical treatment of this condition is most commonly a total colectomy with an ileal J pouch with pouch anal anastomosis (also known as an ileal J pouch, restorative proctocolectomy, or pullthrough), with good outcomes seen in the majority of patients.
Fecal Incontinence
The diagnosis and treatment of fecal incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction is conducted in conjunction with pelvic disorders physicians to offer women comprehensive evaluation of pelvic problems. Our specialists work as a team and are constantly investigating new treatment alternatives for these patients.
Patients with fecal incontinence generally will undergo or have had sphincter repairs performed in the past. In addition, more advanced reconstructive procedures are available for more complex or reoperative cases, and surgeons are assisting in the development of other investigational methods of repair, such as neosphincter procedures, stimulated graciloplasty, sacral nerve stimulation, artificial bowel sphincter, the use of radiofrequency, and injectable materials.
These innovative techniques are offered to patients who would otherwise be relegated to a permanent colostomy. This department is one of only a few centers in the world offer all five of these procedures in high volumes.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Crohn’s disease and mucosal ulcerative colitis comprise a large proportion of the surgical cases and patients treated in this department, making us one of the premier centers in the United States and around the world for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. In addition to innovative surgical techniques, reoperative surgical management of both abdominal and anorectal problems associated with inflammatory bowel disease are a forte in our department.
Patients who suffer from Crohn’s disease and mucosal ulcerative colitis are treated by gastroenterologists as well as colorectal surgeons at Cleveland Clinic in Florida. These two specialties work as a team to diagnose and identify the optimal approach to the management of these patients.
Innovative therapies – many pioneered by Cleveland Clinic in Florida physicians and surgeons – allow patients to lead higher quality lives. This department receives worldwide referrals, particularly for complex and severely affected patients, due to its participation in clinical trials and its excellent outcome of surgical cases.
Rectal Cancer
Surgeons in our department have extensive experience treating rectal cancer and treat among one of the highest volume of patients in the United States with this condition.
One of the factors that set us apart is the number of treatment options available to save the sphincter and avoid the need for colostomy. These options include transanal excision, low anterior resections, abdominoperineal resections and more recently, incorporating a colonic J pouch reconstruction or coloplasty procedure. Using these techniques, our surgeons can avoid the need for a permanent colostomy in over the majority of cases while still achieving some of the lowest recurrence rates in the world.
Rectal Prolapse
Rectal prolapse occurs when the rectum protrudes through the anus, usually as a consequence of weak or injured pelvic floor muscles. Surgical repair for rectal prolapse is generally advised. This repair can be undertaken using an abdominal operation or a perineal operation, with the exact approach being tailored to each individual patient.
Our colorectal surgeons have extensive experience performing these types of procedures.
Appointments & Locations
To schedule an appointment with a Cleveland Clinic Florida colorectal specialist, please call 1.877.463.2010.
Schedule a Colonoscopy
To learn more about how to schedule your colonoscopy at a Cleveland Clinic Florida location, please visit clevelandclinic.org/colonoscopy or choose from the options below:
- Patients in Weston and Coral Springs: Please call 877.463.2010 or request an appointment online.
- Patients in Indian River County: Please call 877.463.2010 or request an appointment online.
- Patients in Martin and St. Lucie County: Please call 772.283.9111 ext. 10010 or request an appointment online.
Want to schedule your colonoscopy in Florida without an office visit?
If you’re a Cleveland Clinic Florida patient, you may be eligible to self-schedule your colonoscopy without an initial office visit. This option is available for healthy people, ages 45 and older with an average risk of colon cancer.
Virtual Visits
You can now stay connected to your healthcare team through virtual visits, using your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Why go virtual? It's an easy, convenient and secure way to see your provider face-to-face without having to leave home. This saves you travel time, parking fees and time spent in the waiting room — and you can also have a loved one or caregiver join you. If appropriate, you can also get a prescription sent to the pharmacy of your choice.
Many insurance companies cover the cost of virtual visits, so check with your insurance company ahead of time. Interested in getting started? Call your provider to find out what virtual visit options are available.
Locations
For Medical Professionals
Residency Program
Cleveland Clinic Florida's Colorectal Surgery Residency is one of only 35 training programs in colon and rectal surgery recognized by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Our program has recently been reviewed by the ACGME and has received a full five year accreditation. We are extremely proud of this review. Our program has grown from initially one clinical resident to our current status of five clinical residents. Overall, these 35 programs train 63 surgeons each year; the residency training program participates in the National Resident Matching Program to fill these positions.
Our program also offers one of the five clinical residents an optional one year full time research fellowship. These funded residency and fellowship positions are highly sought after; typically close to 100 applications are received of whom 35-40 are granted interviews. Nineteen residents have been trained in the clinical training program, twelve of whom (*) also participated in the research fellowship during the year prior to or after their clinical fellowship.
All of our graduates limit their practices to colorectal surgery. A variety of practice types are chosen by the graduating residents although more than 75% practice in an academic or academic affiliated setting.
Research Residents
The Department of Colorectal Surgery offers a variety of opportunities for international physicians and surgeons interested in colorectal surgery to develop and explore the specialty.
In many countries throughout the world, colorectal surgery is not a recognized specialty and, therefore, advanced training is not possible. Physicians and surgeons from other countries visit the department on an almost daily basis and spend from several days to over one year in the department. Primarily, these individuals learn anorectal physiology; however, a wide array of clinical experience is offered to these physicians. Typically, these residents and fellows publish a myriad of chapters and manuscripts in relation to their work and research at the Cleveland Clinic Florida Department of Colorectal Surgery.
Alumni Association
The Department of Colorectal Surgery has graduated 59 clinical residents and dozens of research residents and fellows from our training program. Alumni are spread out throughout the world in a variety of practice settings.
In an effort to continue contact and give alumni a central site to communicate through, the Alumni Association has been created. The Alumni Association will hopefully allow collaborative or multi-institutional trials involving members of the association to participate. In addition, a website will be developed and will have a separate area for alumni to read about and hear of activities of alumni. Any one of the alumni will attest to the “family” in the Department of Colorectal Surgery.
