Robotics & Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery Specialists

Colorectal cancer is the third most common form of cancer in both men and women. It is diagnosed in approximately 5% of all Americans. Though common, colorectal cancer is preventable and curable when detected in the early stages. Through screening colonoscopy, now recommended starting at the age of 45, the rate of colorectal cancer is finally decreasing.

At Surgical Associates of Long Island, we specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer offering the most cutting-edge minimally invasive approaches to screening and removal of these tumors. With the use of advanced endoscopic and robotic technology, we are able to remove these cancers through smaller incisions with less trauma to the patient and tissues. Our patients can stay closer to home and their families, while recovering faster and ultimately returning to their lives cancer-free.

Diverticular disease refers to small outpouching due to weakness in the wall of the colon called diverticula. The presence of diverticula is commonly referred to as diverticulosis. Diverticulosis is extremely common and increases with age. Approximately 40% of patients will have diverticulosis by age 60 and as many as 80% by 80 years old. Only 1% of patients with diverticulosis ultimately require surgery. This is most commonly due to diverticulitis seen in about 10-20% of patients with diverticulosis. Symptoms of diverticulitis include abdominal pain, pelvic pain, fevers and abdominal tenderness. When patients develop infectious complications of diverticulitis, chronic pain or have repetitive attacks, surgery is indicated.

At Surgical Associates of Long Island, we specialize in the most advanced and minimally invasive approaches to the treatment of diverticulitis. Using robotic technology we are able to improve patient outcomes and get them home and out of the hospital sooner and back to their normal daily lives. 

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation starting in the rectum and can extend to involve the entire colon. Symptoms including cramping, pain, diarrhea, bloody bowel movements, fever, fatigue and weight loss. When medications are unable to control these symptoms or in the event of any complications for the disease such as a hole in the colon, toxic colitis or cancer, surgery offers a cure. Utilizing minimally invasive techniques, the Surgical Associates of Long Island offer the most state-of-the-art treatment options right here in Suffolk County.

Crohn’s Disease is an incurable inflammatory bowel disease that can cause inflammation anywhere throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms including crampy abdominal pain and cramping, diarrhea or constipation, bloody bowel movements, fever, weight loss, abscesses, fistulas and anal fissures. The primary treatment of Crohn’s disease is immunosuppressive medications to decrease inflammation. Surgery may be needed in the setting of complications and emergencies such as a hole in the bowel or blockage of the bowel. When surgery is indicated, the Surgical Associates of Long Island offer their patients the most modern minimally invasive surgical approaches without leaving Long Island.

While the rate of colon cancer is decreasing in large part due to early detection and polypectomy during colonoscopy, the rate of rectal cancer is increasing. This is especially true to young adults and millennials who are at higher risk for rectal cancer than their parents. This has led the American Cancer Society and American College of Colon and Rectal Surgeons to lower the age for initial screening colonoscopy to 45 years old. Rectal cancer is preventable through early detection and removal of rectal polyps. Most rectal cancers have no symptoms, but patients can present with diarrhea, narrow stools, bloody bowel movements, pelvic or lower abdominal pain, weight loss or fatigue.

In coordination with medical and radiation oncology, Surgical Associates of Long Island offers a state-of-the-art multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment while staying close to home. Through a robotic minimally invasive approach our patients experience superior oncologic outcomes with less time spent in the hospital and more time at home recovering with your family.

Anal Cancer is relatively rare, however, with the increasing incidence of the human papillomavirus virus, there are almost 6,000 new cases of anal cancer diagnosed in the US each year. Patients may experience bleeding, itching, pain, change in bowel habits, notice a mass or may have no symptoms at all. While the treatment is often medical, when indicated the Surgical Associates of Long Island offer a wide range of surgical treatment options ranging from local excision to removal of the entire anus and rectum.

Hemorrhoids are one of the most common ailments affecting millions of Americans. Everyone has hemorrhoids, which are just veins that drain the anus. For numerous reasons including aging, constipation, pregnancy, etc., these veins can enlarge leading to severe pain and bleeding. Due to embarrassment and social stigma, most patients suffer from hemorrhoids for years before seeking medical attention.

At the Surgical Associates of Long Island, we offer a complete array of hemorrhoid treatment from noninvasive medical treatment to a painless procedure such as rubber band ligation and hemorrhoid stapling to hemorrhoidectomy. We utilize multimodal pain control to limit the pain of these procedures and get you back to having bowel movements free from pain and bleeding.

An anal fissure is a small tear in the skin of the anus that can cause debilitating pain and bleeding with bowel movements. The pain can last from minutes to hours and often leads to fear and anxiety resulting in patients trying to avoid having bowel movements. The cause of a fissure is a spasm in the anal sphincter.

At the Surgical Associates of Long Island, we offer a variety of treatment options from topical medications, to injections to relax the sphincter to sphincterotomy. These treatments relieve the spasm and allow the tear to heal getting the patient back to their normal life. 

The anus has multiple glands that secrete lubrication to allow for the passage of stool. If these glands become blocked it can cause an abscess to form. This leads to intense anal pain, fevers, chills and at times, drainage. The treatment for an abscess is surgical drainage. About 30-50% of the time these abscesses lead to the formation of an anal fistula. A fistula is an abnormal connection from one area of the body to another. An anal fistula can connect the skin around the anus to the anal canal and cause drainage and frequent infections.

At the Surgical Associates of Long Island, we offer a multitude of colorectal surgery treatment options for both perianal abscesses and anal fistulas including incision and drainage, drain placement, fistulotomy, advancement flap and fistula ligation.

Pilonidal cysts are cysts in the gluteal cleft above the anus. They are caused by hair that gets trapped under the skin in this region, leading to frequent infections with pain, fevers, chills and drainage. The first step of treatment is to drain the infection. Then, once the infection resolves, to excise the cyst. This may require a flap for adequate close and prevent recurrence. At the Surgical Associates of Long Island, we offer a variety of colorectal surgery treatment options for pilonidal cyst ranging from drainage procedure to advanced flaps right here in Long Island.

Rectal prolapse is most commonly seen in women who have given birth to multiple babies. Over time the pelvic floor becomes weaker and this can lead to prolapse of multiple organs in the pelvis including the uterus, bladder and rectum. This can cause pain and both urinary and fecal incontinence. In rectal prolapse, the rectum telescopes out the anus and turns inside out. In these cases, there are various surgical approaches to either remove the redundant rectum or resuspend the rectum inside the abdominal cavity. At the Surgical Associates of Long Island, we offer all of these approaches including the use of minimally invasive and robotic techniques that allow patients to heal faster and lower rates of complications.

Constipation is a common problem plaguing many patients and there are a multitude of causes. For some patients, the cause is from the colon failing to be able to propel stool forward. When medications fail, surgical removal of the colon may be indicated. At the Surgical Associates of Long Island, we offer a minimally invasive surgical approach with speedy recovery and return of normal bowel function.