Digestive Disease Spotlight: Focus on Florida

By Steven Wexner, MD, PhD (Hon)

Cleveland Clinic Florida’s Digestive Disease Center experts provide the most advanced treatments for disorders related to the gastrointestinal tract. Here’s a quick look at what we can offer your patients.

Liver Transplantation

A comprehensive program, led by internationally renowned transplant surgeon Andreas Tzakis, MD, PhD, offers shorter wait times because of the region in which it is located and performs complex cases, including living donor transplantation.

• The program has performed almost 100 liver transplants since opening in July 2013 and has an active research program, participating in clinical trials of the ELAD® System as a treatment for liver failure.

Bariatric and Metabolic Institute

A designated Center of Excellence by the American College of Surgeons with a world-renowned reputation for excellent outcomes using innovative treatment modalities for patients with severe obesity and metabolic syndrome.

• One of the highest-volume bariatric programs in the U.S., led by Raul Rosenthal, MD, Director of the Bariatric and Metabolic Institute and General Surgery Chair, who is currently president of the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), president of the ASMBS foundation and also of the fellowship council.
• In 2014, our Bariatric and Metabolic Institute performed 297 bariatric surgeries. The team is renowned for pioneering new approaches for complicated cases, including remnant gastrectomy in patients with gastrogastric fistulae and proximal gastrectomy for chronic staple line disruptions after sleeve gastrectomies.

Colorectal Surgery

Internationally acclaimed team led by Steven Wexner, MD, PhD (Hon), treats diseases of the colon, rectum and anus. Dr. Wexner and his team pioneered advances in rectal cancer, mucosal ulcerative colitis (MUC), familial adenomatous polyposis, Crohn’s disease (CD), fecal incontinence and minimally invasive surgery.

• Developed or assisted in development of colorectal surgical techniques, including stimulated graciloplasty, sacral nerve stimulation, artificial bowel sphincter, adhesion barriers, reconstruction with colonic J-pouch following rectal cancer removal, laparoscopic management of colorectal disorders and, most recently, transanal total mesorectal excision.
• An international referral center for colorectal surgery, drawing patients from across North, Central and South America, Europe and the Middle East.
• Physicians worldwide refer to our expertise in rectal cancer, CD, MUC and redo J-pouches.

Gastroenterology and Therapeutic Endoscopy

Utilizing innovative diagnostic tools and treatments, such as endoscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration, SpyGlass® technology and ablative techniques such as cryotherapy for Barrett’s esophagus, a team of nine gastroenterologists is led by Roger Charles, MD.

• Features one of the largest small bowel enteroscopy programs in Florida, with multidisciplinary approach.
• Championed endoscopic mucosal resection over traditional methods for certain polypectomies, garnering international referrals.

General and Minimally Invasive Surgery

Diagnoses and treats diseases affecting the upper GI tract, abdominal wall and breast.

• Significant expertise in heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy and minimally invasive treatment of liver and pancreas lesions.
• Optoelectronic instrumentation helps surgeons minimize incision size, resulting in fewer complications.