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http://www.azumc.com/Vassiliki L. Tsikitis, MD, a fellowship-trained colon and rectal surgeon, offers laparoscopic colon surgery at University Medical Center in Tucson.
Vassiliki L. Tsikitis, MD, has been appointed assistant professor of surgery in the Department of Surgery at The University of Arizona College of Medicine. She also joins University Physicians Healthcare.
Fellowship-trained in colon and rectal surgery, Dr. Tsikitis is an expert in the complete array of open and minimally invasive procedures for all diseases of the colon and rectum, including those in the pelvic floor.
Each year, more than 600,000 surgical procedures are performed in the United States to treat a number of colon diseases. Research has proven that most patients benefit from laparoscopic treatment of these diseases. The advantages of laparoscopic surgery — also known as minimally invasive surgery — include smaller incisions and scarring, less physiological stress, earlier resumption of normal eating habits, less post-operative pain and a lower risk of wound complications, all contributing to a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery.
In addition to surgical procedures, Dr. Tskitis also performs colonoscopies. “This frequently is better for the patient and the surgeon because we — the surgeons — can more accurately determine the location, depth and size of tumors located between the rectum and cecum (first part of the colon),” Dr. Tsikitis said. “This is significant because it enables us to precisely tailor the patient’s surgery based on our findings and determine if minimally invasive surgery is an option.”
Dr. Tsikitis also will lead the development of the Pelvic Floor Program at University Medical Center. This program will provide a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of pelvic-floor disorders. She will collaborate with specialists in urology, gynecology, physical therapy, nutrition and psychiatry who will work as a team to treat patients diagnosed with urinary or fecal incontinence, constipation, prolapse and pelvic pain.
Dr. Tsikitis completed a fellowship in colon and rectal surgery at Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education in Rochester, Minn., and her general surgery residency training at the Warren Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, R.I., where she was a Haffenraffer Research Fellow and Versaci Research Scholar. She received her medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia and her undergraduate degree from Tufts University.
Dr. Tsikitis has published several articles in peer-reviewed journals and presented her work at numerous national meetings. She is board certified by the American College of Surgeons and is a member of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and the Association of Women Surgeons.
Her clinical areas of interest are treatment of colon and rectal cancer, as well as surgical treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Her practice also includes the benign colorectal conditions that might require surgical treatment, including diverticulitis, colonic polyps not amenable to removal by colonoscopy, perianal fistulas, fissures and hemorrhoids. Her primary research interests are the emerging field of colon and rectal cancer genetics and optimization of the surveillance protocols for colon and rectal cancer patients.
“Specializing in benign and malignant diseases and disorders of the colon, rectum and anus, Dr. Tsikitis’ arrival expands the UA surgery program’s abilities to provide patients the full range of open and laparoscopic colorectal treatment and surgical procedures,” said Rainer Gruessner, MD, UA Department of Surgery chairman.
