Houston Colorectal Surgeon and TEVA Expert Delivers Lectures at ASCRS Annual Conference

HOUSTON, TX--(Marketwired - Jun 27, 2013) - Dr. Eric Haas, a colorectal surgeon, and his research team at Colorectal Surgical Associates recently attended the annual meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS). At this year's meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, Dr. Haas and his team were asked to share their expertise in laparoscopic techniques and innovations in colorectal surgery practices.

Invited by the ASCRS, Dr. Haas served as an expert faculty professor for a course on advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery. As one of the field's pioneers of TEVA (Transanal Endoscopic Video-Assisted Excision), a minimally invasive technique used to treat early rectal cancer and noncancerous rectal masses, Dr. Haas lead instruction on this technique.

At a portion of the conference named the "Meet the Professor Breakfast" session, Dr. Haas was asked to speak about the use of laparoscopy in robotic colorectal surgery. In a second presentation on laparoscopic surgery, Dr. Haas lead a study that compared conventional open, laparoscopic, and robotic surgery for the treatment of rectal cancer. The study concluded that both laparoscopic and robotic colon surgery are safe alternatives to open surgery for the treatment of rectal cancer.

Dr. Haas delivered several other presentations throughout the event, covering topics including:

• Research evaluating the current status of laparoscopic versus conventional open colon resection. This presentation showed that laparoscopic resection not only provides better short-term results, but also yields overall cost savings.
  
• The differences between general surgeons and colorectal surgeons performing colon resections. Research showed that when colon resections are performed by colorectal surgeons, patients experience a faster recovery and incur lower hospital costs.
  
  
• Dr. Haas's experience with the single-incision laparoscopic surgery technique, which allows colorectal surgeons to perform the entirety of the procedure through a tiny incision at the navel.

Dr. Haas and fellow surgeons at his Houston colorectal surgery practice, Dr. Bartley Pickron and Dr. Ali Mahmood, strive to remain educated about the latest techniques and technologies in their field. By attending conferences such as the annual meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Dr. Haas says his staff is not only able to share their knowledge, but also learn from their colleagues around the country to continually improve the quality surgical results and patient care.

About Eric Haas, MD
Dr. Eric Haas is a board-certified colorectal surgeon, the founder and president of Colorectal Surgical Associates, and serves as Program Director for the Minimally Invasive Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship Program at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. Dr. Haas earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. In addition to colorectal surgery, Dr. Haas and his team offer a comprehensive span of pelvic health care including the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction, chronic pelvic pain, and more. He is available for interview upon request.