Colon and Rectal Surgery

Surgeons in the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery at Mayo Clinic offer the latest in diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the colon, rectum and anus. Surgeons see more than 11,000 patients each year at Mayo Clinic campuses in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota, making the practice among the largest in the world collectively. Surgeons work closely with colleagues in gastroenterology, oncology, radiation oncology, urology and other specialties to ensure that you receive comprehensive, innovative and supportive care.

Colon and rectal surgeons at Mayo Clinic have completed training in general surgery as well as advanced training in the treatment of colon and rectal problems. They treat hundreds of gastrointestinal conditions and have particular expertise in:

• Colon and rectal cancer and colon polyps
• Inflammatory bowel disease — Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
• Diverticulitis and diverticular disease
• Anal problems such as hemorrhoids, fistula and fissure
• Motility problems of the colon, such as constipation

In addition, Mayo surgeons are skilled in specific techniques, including:

• Robotic surgery
• Complex minimally invasive surgery
• Complex multivisceral surgery
• Intraoperative radiation therapy
• Transanal endoscopic microsurgery and transanal total mesorectal excision
• Sacral nerve stimulation for fecal incontinence

Mayo Clinic is one of the few institutions where surgeons from different specialties routinely remove tumors from different organs in the same operation (synchronous treatment). This approach combines two operations into one and streamlines treatment of people who have advanced tumors.

Research excellence

Mayo Clinic surgeons are active in research to find new and better ways of diagnosing and treating disease and in educating the next generation of surgeons. Mayo colon and rectal surgeons:

• Have authored hundreds of articles published in leading medical journals in the areas of inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, chronic ulcerative colitis, colon cancer, rectal cancer, complex tumors, rare tumors, intraoperative radiation therapy and recurrent tumors, and benign conditions such as diverticulitis, motility problems and incontinence
• Receive National Health Institutes and other grants annually
• Define cutting-edge areas of investigation, including stem cell research, microbiome research and electronic health record-based informatics research

In 2009, a Mayo colorectal surgeon performed the first single-incision colectomy, in which the entire colon was removed through a single tiny incision around the navel.

In addition, Mayo colorectal surgeons:

• Pioneered the procedure to remove the diseased colon and rectum and reconnect the intestines to the anus (ileoanal anastomosis) so that a person can continue to eliminate wastes normally
• Specialize in nerve and sphincter-sparing procedures that preserve healthy tissue and normal function
• Are experienced in treating recurrent cancers with intraoperative radiation therapy

Patient experience

Mayo Clinic's colon and rectal surgeons bring together advanced care practices and organizational excellence to create a unique patient experience:

• Multisite practice. Mayo Clinic colon and rectal surgeons care for adults at all three campuses and for pediatric patients at Mayo's Minnesota campus. Adult patients can be seen at any of the three sites after their procedure.
• Comprehensive care. All the specialists, tests and procedures a patient needs are available at the same location, where integrated teams coordinate every step from start to finish.
• Outstanding outcomes. Colon and rectal surgery patients at Mayo Clinic experience excellent outcomes. The experience of Mayo Clinic physicians and the integrated team approach results in successes that compare favorably with national averages.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, and Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, are ranked among the Best Hospitals for cancer by U.S. News & World Report.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, ranks No. 1 for digestive disorders in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings. Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, are ranked among the Best Hospitals for digestive disorders by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic Children's Center in Rochester is ranked the No. 1 hospital in Minnesota, and the five-state region of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2024–2025 "Best Children's Hospitals" rankings.