Welcome to the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery

The Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery was established by Herand Abcarian, M.D., Turi Josefsen Professor Emeritus of Surgery.  He was the first Colon and Rectal Surgeon in the United States to hold an endowed chair in Colon and Rectal Surgery.  Our mission is to provide compassionate and state of the art care for patients suffering from diseases of the colon, rectum, anus, and small bowel and to further the advancements of research and education in these diseases.  The Division consists of colon and rectal surgeons who are Board Certified by the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery.  The surgeon who has attained Certification by the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery (ABCRS) has specialized knowledge and skill with regard to problems of the colon, rectum, anus and small bowel. This means that your surgeon has completed advanced training in the treatment of colon and rectal problems in addition to full training in general surgery. The Colorectal Division treats benign and malignant conditions, performs routine screening examinations and surgically treats problems when necessary. You can feel confident that your Colon and Rectal Surgeon is an expert in the surgical and non-surgical treatment of colon and rectal problems. 
The Division carries out all types of colon and rectal operations.  There is an extensive experience in minimally invasive and robotic surgery of the colon, rectum, anus and small bowel, complex anorectal surgery, inflammatory bowel disease (Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease) and complex reoperative surgery.  Additionally, the Division oversees the pelvic floor center which sees patients for incontinence, constipation, and a variety of pelvic floor disorders, including rectal prolapse, rectocele, anismus, levator syndrome and pelvic outlet obstruction.  The Pelvic Floor Center performs a variety of procedures including anorectal manometry, EMGs, pudendal nerve terminal motor latency, anorectal ultrasound, electrogalvanic stimulation and biofeedback.

The Division maintains itself on the cutting edge of colon and rectal surgery through its unique relationship with the only training program for colon and rectal surgery in the city of Chicago (John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County Colon and Rectal Surgery Residency training program).   Each year the program graduates three residents who rotate between the University of Illinois, Lutheran General Hospital, and the County hospital.  Didactic conferences are held jointly between the three institutions.  Additionally, active and productive research is performed by the faculty in conjunction with the residents.  Research work is frequently presented at regional, national and international meetings as well as for publication in peer review journals thereby reflecting the excellent quality of work produced by our Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery.

Dr. Cintron, Division Chief