Nationwide Children's Tackles Rare, Complex Colorectal Illness in Kids

For children with rare and complex colorectal problems, finding exceptional care can be difficult. Most hospitals take only 20 to 50 of these cases per year, but Nationwide Children's Hospital aims to set a new standard of care with its Center for Colorectal and Pelvic Reconstruction. Building on its Motility Center, led by gastroenterologist Dr. Carlo Di Lorenzo, the hospital recruited internationally known colorectal surgeon Dr. Marc Levitt. The new center takes a multidisciplinary approach that not only includes colorectal surgery and gastroenterology, but specialists in urology and gynecology as well. "You can't treat these patients with one clinician," Levitt says. "We need a complete team and the right resources and personnel. Nationwide had those resources." Since opening April 1, the center has treated more than 200 patients from 27 states and 16 countries. The center also trains doctors and nurses from other hospitals to handle colorectal issues. nationwidechildrens.org