School of Medicine

LSU-UMCNO training program encompasses the entire spectrum of benign and malignant disease of the small bowel, colon, rectum, and anus. A single trainee will be able to achieve and exceed all required defined categories. Fellows are expected to complete between 650-750 total cases: including 200-250 abdominal procedures (40% minimally invasive); 200-250 anorectal procedures; 250 colonoscopy (diagnostic and therapeutic).

With a high ratio of faculty to colorectal surgery fellow, the fellow is offered close one-on-one attention.  The fellow will rotate at the University Medical Center New Orleans (UMCNO), Touro Infirmary Hospital and at the Outpatient Surgical Center. 

The University Medical Center New Orleans, which opened August of 2015, is a state-of-the-art 440 beds academic medical center and Level I trauma center. UMCNO has two Robotic Platforms: One dual and one single console Da Vinci Robot System ideal for teaching robotic colorectal surgery. All operating rooms have LED wall mounted video monitors for all minimally invasive colon and rectal surgeries. LSU-UMCNO also cares for a high-risk patient population, which offers a high level of complex disease management, including treating locally advanced and late-stage colorectal malignancies.

Touro Infirmary Medical Center, founded in 1852, is one of the oldest hospitals in New Orleans and has a rich history of providing comprehensive healthcare services. Touro has 3 Da Vinci Robot systems and is a leading facility for minimally invasive and robotic surgeries, providing advanced surgical care with enhanced precision and shorter recovery times for patients. The hospital is known for its strong focus on patient-centered care and community involvement. Touro offers a wide range of medical services, including emergency care, cardiology, orthopedics, oncology, and women’s health.

Outpatient surgical center next to UMC focuses on anorectal surgeries including high resolution anoscopy (HRA). Pelvic floor testing and endoscopy procedures are performed at the UMC medical center endoscopy unit.  Touro also offers same day surgery as well as endoscopy procedures.

University Medical Center Colorectal Clinic and LSU Healthcare Network Colorectal Clinics have three half days/week.  There will be a combined clinic at the cancer center to cater to patients who need multidisciplinary care.

The LSU General Surgery Residency graduates around 11 Chief residents per year covering 3 cites in Louisiana (New Orleans, Lafayette and Baton Rouge). The relationship of the GS and CRS program is collegial and interactive. The CRS service includes general surgery junior and mid-level residents on service, usually a PGY-1and/or PGY-3. The CRS service also has PA students – third year medical students and fourth year acting interns. The fellow will oversee the CRS service, with attending supervision but with ample opportunity for supervised independent clinical and didactic teaching, as they progress through the fellowship.

Weekly didactics based on the ASCRS Textbook of Colon & Rectal Surgery, 4th Edition, General Surgery Grand Rounds, Morbidity & Mortally Conference, weekly pre-op conference, and Multidisciplinary Tumor Board. Monthly Colorectal Journal Club and Multidisciplinary Inflammatory Bowel Disease Conference. A bimonthly Hepatobiliary Multidisciplinary Conference, which CRS attends when we present patients with colorectal metastatic disease.  There is also New Orleans City wide journal club every other month where CRS from nearby programs are invited to attend.

Anal manometry, endorectal ultrasound, MRI defecography

N/A

Not currently offered. Academic development is encouraged and required.

The fellow is expected to develop a project of his/her own design during the fellowship that will result in a publication or a presentation at a national (ASCRS Annual Scientific Meeting) and/or a regional scientific meeting.