Welcome to Colon and Rectal Surgery

The colon and rectal surgery team at VCU Health treats complex colorectal and anorectal diseases with a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach.

Visit VCU Health Colon and Rectal Surgery

Research

NEWS (1/5/2023): Cellf BIO Begins Phase 1 Clinical Trial of BioSphincter™ Implant for Fecal Incontinence

We have a strong focus on research and evidence-based patient care. Our faculty are engaged in multiple research endeavors. This includes translational research for regenerative medicine treatments of fecal incontinence, clinical research for integration of palliative care into surgical treatment pathways and quality care improvement research to improve clinical outcomes in colon and rectal surgery.

Current Research Projects

• Partial colectomy vs. Medical Management The COSMID Randomized Trial 
  VCU Site PI: Dr. Nicole Wieghard, Sub I: Dr. Jaime Bohl
  ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04095663
  Click for recruitment video
  
  

  Aim 1. Compare PROs (e.g., gastrointestinal-related QoL) in patients with QoL-limiting diverticular disease randomized to elective colectomy vs. medical management.

   ─Exploratory Aims about subgroups ∙Symptomatic vs. asymptomatic ∙Randomized vs. selected treatment ∙Old vs. young

  Aim 2. Compare clinical outcomes (e.g., rates of SAEs, # of subsequent episodes of diverticulitis) between patients with QoL-limiting diverticular disease randomized to elective colectomy vs. best medical management. 

  Aim 3: Compare healthcare utilization between patients with QoL-limiting diverticular disease randomized to elective colectomy vs. best medical management.

  Patients will be recruited across 30-40 sites ─National study ─Built on an established infrastructure. Please mention COSMID to your patients with diverticulitis in your clinic.
  Eligibility:
  
  
  

• Implantation of BioSphincter™  for treatment of severe passive FI, Jaime Bohl - PI
  This is a two-center, first-in-human prospective study of the immediate and long-term safety of the BioSphincter, an implanted internal anal sphincter (IAS) bioengineered from autologous cells to treat patients with severe passive FI who have failed standard therapies. Fecal Incontinence (FI) is the inability to control your bowel movements, causing stool (feces) to leak unexpectedly from the rectum. It is a problem faced by about 1 in 12 adults in the US. FI affects all aspects of peoples’ lives, greatly reducing quality of physical and mental health. For some patients, medical treatments have not allowed for sustained resolution of FI. Cellf BIO provides a treatment that aims to restore the normal physiological function of the anorectum. The BioSphincter™ is bioengineered from patient’s own smooth muscle cells and neural stem cells, retrieved in a biopsy procedure — eliminating any risk of rejection.1 The newly grown autologous sphincter is implanted in the area of the defective sphincter and will form a new continuum of the patient’s own gastrointestinal tract.1
  
  
• Racial Disparities in Pain Care: A Comprehensive Integration of Patient- and Provider-Level Mechanisms with Dyadic Communication Processes Using a Mixed-Methods Research Design, Emily Rivet: Co-I on an NIH with The Department of Psychology.

Support Team

Khalil N. Bitar, PhD, AGAF
Cindy Chenault, AGACNP, Inpatient Nurse Practitioner
Annette Dean, CWOCN, Clinical Nurse
Kenna Joyce, RN, Clinical Nurse
Joann Plencner, RN, CWOCN, Ostomy Nurse
Danielle Robledo, Medical Assistant

Contact Us

Phone: (804) 827-0049
Fax: (804) 827-0670

Jaime L. Bohl, M.D., FACS, FASCRS 
Chair, Colon and Rectal Surgery
jaime.bohl@vcuhealth.org

Biliana Ivanova, MBA
Associate Administrator
biliana.ivanova@vcuhealth.org 

Office Location
West Hospital
1200 East Broad Street, 4th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219

Mailing Address
Box 980167
Richmond Virginia 23298-0167