Emergency icon Important Updates
Department Colorectal Surgery
Primary Location Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Type of Doctor Adults Only
Languages English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Latin, Spanish
Surgeon Yes
Locations
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Primary Location

Cleveland Clinic Main Campus

Appointment:
216.444.7000
Fax:
216.445.8627
Specialties & Treatments

Treatment & Services

  • Abdominal Surgery
  • Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery
  • Anorectal Fistula Treatment
  • Anorectal Surgery
  • Anoscopy
  • Cancer Center
  • Colectomy
  • Colon Resection Surgery
  • Colon Surgery
  • Colorectal Cancer Prevention
  • Colorectal Cancer Research
  • Colorectal Cancer Screening Strategies
  • Colorectal Cancer Treatment
  • Colorectal Surgery
  • Colostomy
  • Consultation for Complicated Colon and Rectal Disease
  • Fecal Diversion
  • Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
  • Hemorrhoidectomy
  • Ileoanal Pouch
  • Ileostomy
  • Intestinal Stomas
  • J-Pouch Surgery
  • Laparoscopic Colectomy
  • Laparoscopic Colon Resection
  • Laparoscopic Colon Surgery
  • Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery
  • Laparoscopic Fecal Diversion
  • Laparoscopic Ileocolectomy
  • Laparoscopic Proctosigmoidectomy
  • Laparoscopic Surgery
  • Laparoscopic Surgery for Digestive Diseases
  • Laparoscopy
  • Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBTQ+) Health
  • Minimally Invasive Colorectal Surgery
  • Mucosal Ulcerative Colitis Medical Management
  • Ostomy Reversal and Creation
  • Pouch Center
  • Rectal Surgery
  • Rectum Reoperative Abdominopelvic Surgery
  • Re-Do Rectal Surgery
  • Reoperation Surgery
  • Reoperative Abdominal Surgery
  • Reoperative Pelvic Surgery
  • Resection of Rectal Diseases
  • Rigid Sigmoidoscopy
  • Robotic Colorectal Surgery
  • Rubber Band Ligation Of Hemorrhoids
  • Second Opinion
  • Sphincter Sparing Surgery
  • Stoma Surgery
  • Surgery for Carcinoma of the Colon
  • Surgery for Crohn's Disease
  • Surgery for Ulcerative Colitis
  • Total Abdominal Colectomy
  • Treatment for Anal Fissure
  • Treatment for Anal Fistula
  • Ulcerative Colitis Medical Management
View all 58 Treatment & Services +

Specialty in Diseases & Conditions

  • Abdominal Abscess
  • Adenomas
  • Adenomatous Polyps
  • Anal Abscesses
  • Anal Cancer
  • Anal Fissures
  • Anal Fistula
  • Anal Itching
  • Anal Pain
  • Anorectal Disease
  • Anorectal Fistula
  • Benign Anorectal Disease
  • Cancer
  • Cancer of the Anus
  • Carcinoma of the Colon
  • Carcinoma of the Large Bowel
  • Carcinoma of the Small Bowel
  • Colon Cancer
  • Colon Diseases
  • Colon Polyps
  • Colonic Neoplasia
  • Colorectal Cancer
  • Colovaginal Fistula
  • Colovesical Fistula
  • Crohn's Disease
  • Diverticulitis
  • Diverticulosis
  • Endometriosis
  • Enterocutaneous Fistula
  • Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP)
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
  • Intestinal Endometriosis
  • Intestinal Fistula
  • Intestinal Ischemic Syndrome
  • Large Bowel Cancer
  • Large Intestine Cancer
  • Polyps of the Rectum
  • Rectal Cancer
  • Small Bowel Cancer
  • Small Intestine Cancer
  • Stoma Related Problems
  • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Volvulus
View all 44 Specialties +
Insurance

Insurance

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Biography

About Hermann Kessler, MD, PhD

Hermann Kessler, MD, PhD, F.A.C.S is currently the Section Head of Minimally Invasive Surgery in the Department of Colorectal Surgery at Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.

Dr. Kessler obtained his medical degree and Ph.D. from the University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany.  There he completed his surgical training with board exams and certifications in General Surgery, Comprehensive Visceral Surgery, and Proctology. He finished two years of clinical and research fellowships for advanced laparoscopic colorectal surgery in the United States: the Cleveland Clinic and the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. During these years, he participated and completed numerous scientific studies. In May 2007, Dr. Kessler was appointed Professor of Surgery at the University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany.

Dr. Kessler joined the Cleveland Clinic, Department of Colorectal Surgery as Section Head, Minimally Invasive Surgery in April 2013. Dr. Kessler is active in many other professional groups, including the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, International Society of Digestive Surgery, International Society of Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery, Society of American Gastrointestinal & Endoscopic Surgeons, International Association of Surgeons, Gastroenterologists, & Oncologists, Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, and the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Kessler’s specialty interests include laparoscopic and robotic surgery, colon and rectal carcinoma, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, J-pouch creation, re-do pouches, familial adenomatous polyposis, pelvic surgery, bowel fistula surgery, and intestinal endometriosis.

Education & Professional Highlights

Education & Professional Highlights

Appointed
2013

Education & Fellowships

Fellowship - Mount Sinai Medical Center
Colorectal Surgery
New York, NY USA
1999

Fellowship - Cleveland Clinic
Colorectal Surgery
Cleveland, OH USA
1998

Medical Education - Medical School University of Erlangen-Nuremberg
Erlangen,
1984

Certifications

  • Comprehensive Visceral Surgery Proctology
  • General Surgery

Specialty Interests

Laparoscopic and robotic surgery, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, familial adenomatous polyposis, pelvic surgery, intestinal endometriosis

Research & Publications

Research & Publications

See publications for Hermann Kessler, MD, PhD.

(Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)

Industry Relationships

Industry Relationships

Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists may collaborate with the pharmaceutical or medical device industries to help develop medical breakthroughs or provide medical expertise or education. Cleveland Clinic strives to make scientific advances that will benefit patient care and support outside relationships that promise public benefit. In order for the discoveries of Cleveland Clinic physicians' and scientists' laboratories and investigations to benefit the public, these discoveries must be commercialized in partnership with industry. As experts in their fields, Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists are often sought after by industry to consult, provide expertise and education.

To assure professional and commercial integrity in such matters, Cleveland Clinic maintains a program that reviews these collaborations and, when appropriate, puts measures in place to minimize bias that may result from ties to industry. Cleveland Clinic publicly discloses the names of companies when (i) its physicians/scientists receive $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) for speaking and consulting, (ii) its physicians/scientists serve as a fiduciary, (iii) its physicians/scientists receive or have the right to receive royalties or (iv) its physicians/ scientists hold any equity interest for the physician's/scientist's role as inventor, discoverer, developer, founder or consultant.* In publicly disclosing this information, Cleveland Clinic tries to provide information as accurately as possible about its physicians' and scientists' connections with industry.

As of 11/5/2023, Dr. Kessler has reported no financial relationship with industry that is applicable to this listing. In general, patients should feel free to contact their doctor about any of the relationships and how the relationships are overseen by Cleveland Clinic. To learn more about Cleveland Clinic's policies on collaborations with industry and innovation management, go to our Integrity in Innovation page.

Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.

* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.

Patient Satisfaction Reviews

195 Patient Satisfaction Reviews

The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.

Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their views and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cleveland Clinic.

Overall Star Ratings
4.6 out of 5
Explains 4.6
Listens 4.7
Courtesy, Respect & Concern 4.7
Patient Rating of Doctor 4.6

28 Patient Comments

Reviewed on Mar 15, 2024

So Thankful to have been seen/ treated by such a knowledgeable & skilled physician. Other team members also helpful & comforting

Reviewed on Feb 27, 2024

My appt. Went well, Dr. Kessler was very Thorough during my exam. I was reassured that my diagnosis with scar tissue and the procedure went well. Thank you Dr. Kessler

Reviewed on Feb 23, 2024

Dr Kessler was very open and honest and very polite. I would recommend him to everyone

Reviewed on Feb 16, 2024

Dr. Kessler was running far behind schedule (my appointment began over an hour late), but I never felt rushed or as if he didn't have the time for me.

Reviewed on Jan 19, 2024

Dr Kessler is great. Will call me personally to follow up with my care

Reviewed on Dec 29, 2023

Dr. Kessler is amazing.

Reviewed on Dec 12, 2023

Dr Kessler, and his team, are amazing. World class care in every aspect of my care.

Reviewed on Dec 8, 2023

Dr. Kessler was very warm and friendly, and has always shown great respect for my concerns, as well as those of my wife, who accompanies me on these visits. He is very attentive to both of us, and was obviously making an effort to make us comfortable, as well as to be "seen and heard." He is a very good doctor, but also a very good person.

Reviewed on Sep 22, 2023

I loved Dr. Kessler . He spent an hour and a half with me, explaining my surgery, what he was going to remove, my recovery time and how long I would spend In the hospital. He was very soft spoken and has a wonderful bedside manner. He made me like I was Important and In good hands. He spent time getting to know me which Is more than I got from the surgeon at CAMC. He spent all of 15 minutes with me. I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders when I left. I have never had any type of surgery before and was very apprehensive .

Reviewed on Sep 22, 2023

Very good doctor.

Reviewed on Sep 19, 2023

At one point, the doctor, the fellow, and a nurse were all in the room working together to help me. Impressive.

Reviewed on Sep 19, 2023

Absolutely pleased with Dr Kessler and his staff. He addressed all of my issues and concerns.

Reviewed on Sep 19, 2023

Dr Kessler addresses all of my needs during my appointment.

Reviewed on Sep 19, 2023

All went well. Will highly recommend Dr Kessler.

Reviewed on Sep 12, 2023

Dr. Kessler is an amazing Dr. He truly cares for his patients and I am so thankful for what he has done for me. His staff is also great as well.

Reviewed on Aug 22, 2023

The Fello was very pleasant and kind, however; Dr. Kessler was extremely unpleasant and could certainly have been more kind than to tell me he ccx would not do surgery and I would die. I obviously knew that as I was seeking a second opinion from a higher tierterary facility. I certainly expected more or at least kindness.

Reviewed on Aug 1, 2023

I really appreciate how quickly I got a response on the patient portal when I had questions following my appointment. Dr. Kessler was very patient and prepared to give me as much time as I needed during the appointment for questions. He made me feel comfortable, important and validated, I really feel like I am in the best hands.

Reviewed on Jul 28, 2023

Dr Kessler was very kind and explained what I needed to do. His resident or whatever she was lacked in patient concern. She needs to work on her communication skills.

Reviewed on Jun 9, 2023

So happy I came back to CC for a follow up in stoma clinic. Dr. Kessler & the stoma nurse were very concerned, professional & extremely knowledgeable.

Reviewed on Jun 2, 2023

Dr. Kessler is very professional and thorough, but also kind and compassionate

Reviewed on Jun 2, 2023

The doctors at Cleveland Clinic saved my life. I will be forever grateful

Reviewed on May 19, 2023

I thought Dr. Kessler and his associates were top notch. He has a wonderful way of making you feel that he will do all he can to take care of your health and your problem.

Reviewed on May 12, 2023

Dr Kesslar is always very good and very patient with us

Reviewed on Apr 25, 2023

Dr. Kessler is the kindest and most gentle Doctor I have ever met.. He takes good care of me

Reviewed on Apr 21, 2023

Dr Kessler is a wonderful doctor. He is kind and caring and a very competent physician. He is very friendly and informative. I feel that I am receiving the best care possible.

Reviewed on Apr 14, 2023

Dr H Kessler was my doctor and he was the most caring person I have had work with me through this challenge. I am so grateful for him.

Reviewed on Apr 7, 2023

Dr. Kessler explained his plan for surgery and made me feel at ease

Reviewed on Apr 7, 2023

Dr Kessler was very rude and excessive about informing me that was obese.

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