Dr. Phillip Fleshner

Dr. Phillip Fleshner has dedicated over 25 years to the field of colorectal surgery, combining clinical expertise with extensive research contributions. He has treated patients with colorectal disease surgically throughout his career and has authored over 100 peer-reviewed papers on various aspects of colorectal surgery. His research primarily focuses on multidisciplinary approaches to perioperative care, investigating clinical and subclinical factors impacting surgical outcomes. 

Dr. Fleshner's research extends to inflammatory bowel diseases, particularly Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, where he studies phenotypic subgroups and their correlation with surgical outcomes. His findings inform pre- and post-operative protocols aimed at optimizing outcomes for these conditions. He also explores the effects of perioperative immune suppression on surgical outcomes in IBD patients.

Known for challenging conventional practices, Dr. Fleshner has reshaped perioperative care strategies, particularly in the use of steroids, heparin prophylaxis, and early postoperative oral intake following major intra-abdominal surgery. Currently, he holds the Shierley, Jesslyne, and Emmeline Widjaja Chair in Colorectal Surgery at CSMC and serves as Clinical Professor of Surgery at the UCLA School of Medicine, where he continues to advance the field through innovative research and patient care.