James Fleshman

James Fleshman led the COST (Clinical Outcomes of Surgical Therapy) trial that established the oncologic equivalence of laparoscopic versus open surgery for colon cancer, paving the way for minimally invasive colorectal cancer resection to become standard of care. His contributions to colorectal surgical technique include advances in sphincter-preserving procedures and management of complex rectal cancer. He has trained hundreds of colorectal surgeons throughout his career.