This text provides a clear, reproducible, step-by-step guide for each colorectal surgery operation.  The format follows that of both a how to manual as well as an algorithm-based guide to allow the reader to understand the thought process behind the proposed treatment strategy.  Each chapter includes both operative technical details as well as perioperative tips and tricks that the authors utilize in the management of these complex surgical patients.  In addition, it addresses the optimal next step in dealing with more challenging situations such as pregnancy, emergent surgery, the elderly, and the obese patient.  Throughout the text, each author provides an ongoing narrative of his/her individual surgical techniques along with color illustrations and diagrams to personally take the reader through the crucial steps of the procedure, as well as key points of patient care inherent to that topic. Additionally, where appropriate, links to online or downloadable videos will givethe reader an up-front look into technical aspects of traditional straight laparoscopic and hand-assisted minimally invasive surgery, as well as NOTES, transanal, robotic, single incision colectomy and combined laparoscopic-endoscopic resection.

Minimally Invasive Approaches to Colon and Rectal Disease: Technique and Best Practices will be of great utility to colorectal, general and oncologic surgeons who want to learn or improve their minimally invasive skills in colorectal surgery. Furthermore, this text will be of particular interest to the surgeons-in-training, and the general and colorectal surgeon who is often called upon to manage a variety of colorectal surgery conditions through a minimally invasive approach.

Howard M. Ross, MD, FACS, FASCRS

Howard M. Ross, MD, FACS, FASCRS

Chief, Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery

Professor of Surgery

Surgical Director, Digestive Diseases Center

Temple University School of Medicine

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA

Sang W. Lee, MD, FACS, FASCRS

Associate Professor of Surgery and Associate Attending Surgeon

NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center

Vice Chief of Colon& Rectal Surgery

Weill Cornell Medical College

New York, New York USA

Matthew G. Mutch, MD,FACS, FASCRS

Associate Professor of Surgery Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery

Washington University School of Medicine

Department of Surgery

St. Louis, Missouri USA

David E. Rivadeneira, MD, MBA, FACS, FASCRS

Vice Chair of Suffolk County Surgical Strategic Initiatives for North Shore LIJ Health System

Director of Surgical Services at Huntington Hospital

Director of Colon& Rectal Surgery at Huntington Hospital

Professor of Surgery, Hofstra School of Medicine

Huntington Hospital/North Shore-LIJ

Huntington, New York

Scott R. Steele, M.D., FACS, FASCRS

Chief, Colon& Rectal Surgery

Madigan Army Medical Center, Fort Lewis, WA

Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery

University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Olympia, Washington USA