Anne-Marie Boller, MD
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Chicago, IL

Dr. Boller attended Boston University School of Medicine where she received her Masters degree in Medical Sciences in 1995. She went on to receive her MD degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School in 2000 and subsequently completed her fellowships in colon and rectal surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester and second fellowship at the University of Minnesota's Pelvic Floor Center.

Dr. Boller's specialty focuses on diagnosing and treating colon and rectal malignancies inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and functional and anatomic pelvic disorders including rectal prolapse, sphincter disruptions, rectoceles, sphincter repair and the application of innovative technologies to cure fecal incontinence. Dr. Boller's research interests include laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery, hereditary colon cancer, sacral nerve stimulation and functional and quality of life outcomes following pelvic floor surgery.

Dr. Boller is also heavily involved in the development of Northwestern University's new Integrated Women's Pelvic Health Program, a multidisciplinary clinic comprised of urologists, urogynecologists, physiatrists, physical therapists and colon and rectal surgeons working together to diagnose and manage pelvic floor disorders.

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Division of GI & Oncologic Surgery

The Division of GI & Oncologic Surgery provides comprehensive, state-of-the-art care in a compassionate environment for all surgical patients. The Division encompasses the sections of Surgical Oncology, Colorectal Surgery, Minimally Invasive/Bariatric Surgery, and Endocrine Surgery as well as contributed faculty members and Northwestern General Surgical Faculty at the Jesse Brown VA Hospital. The surgeons in the division are committed to multidisciplinary care and clinical research to ensure that each patient receives optimal treatment for his or her disease. All of the surgeons have specialty training in their area of interest, and care is organized in disease specific programs.

 Transrectal NOTES Appendectomy - Feasibility Study

Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) has revolutionized the concept of minimally invasive surgery. NOTES is currently performed through transgastric or transvaginal approaches. The transvaginal approach is technically easier, but is only available to women. A transrectal approach has been proposed as a potential alternative to transvaginal NOTES for men. Fortunately, the technology to facilitate transrectal access and closure for NOTES has been in use for over twenty years, in the form of transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) platforms.

We hypothesize that transrectal NOTES appendectomy is feasible in humans using a flexible endoscope and a TEM platform to assist with transrectal access and closure. After a pre-clinical study involving 5 cadavers, we will perform a clinical study of 10 transrectal NOTES appendectomies in patients already scheduled to undergo laparoscopic total proctocolectomy or total abdominal colectomy. The tissues involved in the NOTES procedure will be removed as part of the patient's originally scheduled operation, reducing the risk of morbidity as a result of an inadequate transrectal closure or appendiceal stump leak. We will measure operative times, complication rates, peritoneal contamination, and assess the integrity of the rectotomy closures. We hope to show that transrectal NOTES appendectomy is clinically feasible in humans using a TEM platform.

Enrollment: 4
Study Start Date: August 2010
Study Completion Date: October 2013
Primary Completion Date: October 2013 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)

Ages Eligible for Study: 18 Years and older
Genders Eligible for Study: Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

    Webcasts

    Content available soon

    eMonograph

    Developing a Clinical Research Agenda for Fecal Incontinence

    view details >

    Webcasts

    Content available soon

    Dinner Meetings

    Clinical Advances in the Management of Fecal Incontinence
    Date
    Time
    Venue/Location
    Content available soon

    Audiocasts

    Content available soon

    Content available soon!

    Content available soon!

    © Copyright 2013-2024 GI Health Foundation. All rights reserved.
    This site is maintained as an educational resource for US healthcare providers only. Use of this website is governed by the GIHF terms of use and privacy statement.