Our Super Specialty: Clinical Trials
As part of an academic medical center, we lead our field in developing new and better treatment options for all colorectal patients. In an effort to offer cutting-edge care, we participate in clinical trials exploring new devices, medications and technologies with the potential to achieve better outcomes, minimize trauma and improve quality of life.
The Global Center currently leads several innovative trials to help shape the management for colorectal disease conditions and inflammatory bowel disease for the future. This includes novel therapies, endoscopic techniques and perioperative pathways that have not previously explored and could completely change how these conditions are managed.
To make an appointment with the Global Center for Integrated Colorectal Surgery & IBD Interventional Endoscopy, please call us at (212) 342-1155.
Key Trials
Boom-IBD clinical trial
Breakthrough treatments and clinical trials do not always mean new technology but entirely new applications of existing technology. The Global Center at Columbia enrolled the first patient in a nationwide study evaluating sacral nerve stimulation to treat Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis using a small implantable medical device. The device uses gentle electrical impulses to activate a nerve pathway in order to reduce inflammation and improve IBD symptoms, and has been granted Breakthrough Device Designation by the FDA for the treatment of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
After completion of the early feasibility phase, the Boom-IBD trial is gearing up for a pivotal study.
PATENT-B clinical trial
This study aims at determining the safety and efficacy of GIE Medical’s ProTractX3 TTS DCB for the treatment of recurrent benign bowel strictures. The goal of this technology is to provide immediate relief via balloon dilation and create lasting durable results.
Anal Fistula trial
Our surgeons take a comprehensive approach to anal fistula care, exploring ways to improve outcomes beyond the technical aspects of the procedures. On the basis of an innovative study on microbiome, our providers were the first to propose the idea that there may exist certain enteric bacteria associated with a higher recurrence rate following anal fistula repair. While this research is still ongoing, its findings could invoke a biologic basis for surgical failure following surgery for fistula and inform a personalized medicine approach to antibiotic decontamination of the fistula site prior to surgery.
Selected Publications
- Bertucci Zoccali M, Moallem DH, Park H, Uhlemann AC, Church JM, Kiran RP. Role of Microbiome in the Outcomes Following Surgical Repair of Perianal Fistula: Prospective Cohort Study Design and Preliminary Results. World J Surg. 2023;47(12):3373-3379. doi:10.1007/s00268-023-07212-0
- Lan N, Shen B. Endoscopic Therapy for Fistulas and Abscesses in Crohn’s Disease. Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am. 2022;32(4):733-746. doi:10.1016/j.giec.2022.05.006
- Bolshinsky V, Church J. Management of Complex Anorectal and Perianal Crohn’s Disease. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2019;32(4):255-260. doi:10.1055/S-0039-1683907
- Bolshinsky V, Church J. Management of Complex Anorectal and Perianal Crohn’s Disease. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2019;32(4):255-260. doi:10.1055/S-0039-1683907
- Bolshinsky V, Church J. Complex Crohn’s Disease: Primum non nocere: Management of Complex Anorectal and Perianal Crohn’s Disease. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2019;32(4):255. Accessed March 19, 2024. /pmc/articles/PMC6606315/
- Franco DL, Holubar SD, Lightner AL, Lashner BA, Shen B. Local Stem Cell Therapy for Crohn’s Perianal Fistulae. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2019;25(5):816-819. doi:10.1093/ibd/izy362
- Bolshinsky V, Church J. How to insert a draining seton correctly. Dis Colon Rectum. 2018;61(9):1121-1123. doi:10.1097/DCR.0000000000001132
- Kotze PG, Shen B, Lightner A, et al. Modern management of perianal fistulas in Crohn’s disease: Future directions. Gut. 2018;67(6):1181-1194. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2017-314918
- Shen B. Exploring endoscopic therapy for the treatment of Crohn’s disease–related fistula and abscess. Gastrointest Endosc. 2017;85(6):1133-1143. doi:10.1016/j.gie.2017.01.025
- Schwartz DA, Ghazi LJ, Regueiro M, et al. Guidelines for the multidisciplinary management of Crohn’s perianal fistulas: Summary statement. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2015;21(4):723-730. doi:10.1097/MIB.0000000000000315
- Fichera A, Zoccali M. Guidelines for the Surgical Treatment of Crohn’s Perianal Fistulas. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2015;21(4):753-758. doi:10.1097/MIB.0000000000000378
- Church J. Anal fistulas. Dis Colon Rectum. 2014;57(12):e444-e445. doi:10.1097/DCR.0000000000000254
- El-Gazzaz G, Hull T, Church JM. Biological immunomodulators improve the healing rate in surgically treated perianal Crohn’s fistulas. Colorectal Disease. 2012;14(10):1217-1223. doi:10.1111/j.1463-1318.2012.02944.x
- Grucela A, Gurland B, Kiran RP. Functional outcomes and quality of life after anorectal surgery. American Surgeon. 2012;78(9):952-956. doi:10.1177/000313481207800934
- Hull TL, El-Gazzaz G, Gurland B, Church J, Zutshi M. Surgeons should not hesitate to perform episioproctotomy for rectovaginal fistula secondary to cryptoglandular or obstetrical origin. Dis Colon Rectum. 2011;54(1):54-59. doi:10.1097/01.dcr.0000388926.29548.36
- Jarrar A, Church J. Advancement flap repair: A good option for complex anorectal fistulas. Dis Colon Rectum. 2011;54(12):1537-1541. doi:10.1097/DCR.0b013e31822d7ddd
- Joyce M, Veniero JC, Kiran RP. Magnetic resonance imaging in the management of anal fistula and anorectal sepsis. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2008;21(3):213-219. doi:10.1055/s-2008-1081000
- Lee PY, Fazio VW, Church JM, Hull TL, Eu KW, Lavery IC. Vaginal fistula following restorative proctocolectomy. Dis Colon Rectum. 1997;40(7):752-759. doi:10.1007/BF02055426
- Bertucci Zoccali M, Church JM, Kiran PR. Partial Delorme procedure for the management of recurrent isolated posterior wall prolapse after robotic ventral mesh rectopexy for rectal prolapse. Tech Coloproctol. 2023;27(10):957-958. doi:10.1007/S10151-023-02832-Z
- Al-Mazrou AM, Baser O, Kiran RP. Propensity Score-Matched Analysis of Clinical and Financial Outcomes After Robotic and Laparoscopic Colorectal Resection. Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery. 2018;22(6):1043-1051. doi:10.1007/s11605-018-3699-8
- Al-Mazrou AM, Chiuzan C, Kiran RP. The robotic approach significantly reduces length of stay after colectomy: a propensity score-matched analysis. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2017;32(10):1415-1421. doi:10.1007/s00384-017-2845-1
- Al-Mazrou AM, Kiran RP, Lee-Kong S, Feingold D, Pappou EP. Robotic right hemicolectomy with intracorporeal anastomosis using V-LocTM – a video vignette. Colorectal Disease. 2017;19(7):696. doi:10.1111/codi.13737
- Al-Mazrou AM, Kiran RP, Pappou EP, Feingold D, Lee-Kong S. Robotic ventral mesh rectopexy – a video vignette. Colorectal Disease. 2017;19(7):695. doi:10.1111/codi.13736
Care at the Global Center
The Global Center for Integrated Colorectal Surgery provides a unique blend of personalized care that combines medical, nutritional, interventional endoscopic, procedural, and surgical treatments for colorectal, IBD, and pouch conditions - all under one roof.
The Global Center aims to serve as a 'last stop' for patients with colorectal conditions that could not be treated effectively elsewhere. From complicated and complex disease management to corrective procedures to address problems resulting from previous surgeries, the Center provides options for people who have been told they have none.
Program Highlights
Unmatched Outcomes That Preserve Dignity and Quality of Life
The Global Center has excellent outcomes for patients with all forms of colorectal disease. Our patients consistently report a high quality of life post-surgery.
World-Class Minimally Invasive Options
We are the preeminent Center for endoscopy for pouch surveillance, corrective procedures for pouch dysfunction, strictures, fistulas, and pouchitis.
Advancing Care Through Research and Education
The Global Center works to improve the standard of care nationally and globally through our commitment to high-quality clinical research, global symposia, and the education and training of select fellows. The center’s leadership team has been recognized as top 10 worldwide in terms of impact and influence for the field of colorectal care.
Specialized Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Support
Our highly trained nursing team has the wound and ostomy care expertise to help troubleshoot problems with intubation, pouch care, seepage, or incontinence.
Out-of-State Coordination of Care
For our out-of-state and international patients, the Global Center helps coordinate office appointments, testing, surgery, postoperative care, and follow-up to make travel and care easy for patients coming from far away. Information on accommodation in the NY/NJ area that allows easy access to the Global Center for consultations, procedures, and surgery is readily available.
Stories & Perspectives
Sara Musikoff shares her experience with severe inflammatory bowel disease, including the multiple operations that it took to repair her digestive tract. Now, Sara is out and about and living life to its fullest. Read the full story at nyp.org.
Our Team
Colorectal Surgeons
Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse
Colorectal NPs
Global Center Gastroenterologists
Gastroenterology & Pelvic Floor NPs & RNs
Gerthy Michel, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC
Physician Assistants (Colorectal/Gastroenterology)
Christian Munoz Pineda, PA Inpatient Colorectal Surgery/Gastroenterology
Danny Shlomo, PA Inpatient Colorectal Surgery/Gastroenterology
Nutrition
Sabrina Oliver, MS, RD | (347) 712-0894
Our Locations
Washington Heights
NYP/Columbia University Irving Medical Center (Main Campus)
Herbert Irving Pavilion
161 Fort Washington Avenue, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10032-3784
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Midtown West
51 West 51st Street, Suite #380
New York, NY 10019
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Upper East Side
12 East 86th Street, Suite #1
New York, NY 10028
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New Jersey
330 Grand St
Hoboken, NJ 07030
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Make an Appointment
To make an appointment with the Global Center for Integrated Colorectal Surgery & IBD Interventional Endoscopy, please call us at (212) 342-1155.
We accept a number of insurance plans, and our team can help confirm your coverage.
Resources & More
Stories & Perspectives
- State of the Union Conversation: Members of Columbia’s Global Center discuss colorectal surgery and care, improving surgical training, and how they approach treating conditions.
- Read more colorectal news and stories here