Colorectal Surgery

What is a Colon and Rectal Surgeon?

A colorectal surgeon is an expert in the surgical and non-surgical treatment of diseases of the colon and rectum. Colon and rectal surgeons treat both malignant and benign conditions, perform routine screening procedures, and surgically treat problems when necessary.

What diseases do colon and rectal surgeons treat?

Colorectal surgeons treat a wide variety of diseases, including but not limited to cancers and tumors of the colon, rectum, and anus; hemorrhoids; anal abscess, fistula, and fissure; rectal prolapse; bowel incontinence; constipation; diverticular disease; Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis; and pilonidal cysts.

What types of operations does a colon and rectal surgeon perform?

Colorectal surgeons are proficient in the surgical treatment of hemorrhoids, unroofing fistulas, excising cysts, and repairing the anal sphincter. In addition, they perform colonoscopy for colon cancer screening, as well as for removal of polyps. They are able to remove the colon and the rectum through traditional open techniques as well as minimally invasive laparoscopic operations.

Surgeons at Lenox Hill Hospital who perform colorectal surgery:

• Parswa Ansari, M.D.
• Jeffrey Arnoff, M.D.
• Frank Cohen, M.D.
• Shane Dawson, M.D.
• Sergei Dolgopolov, M.D.
• Bruce Gingold, MD
• Douglas Heymann, M.D.
• Joseph Iraci, M.D.
• Jason Penzer, MD
• Norman Sohn, M.D.
• Michael Weinstein, M.D.