New Surgeon Specializes in Minimally Invasive Colorectal Surgery

Bogdan Protyniak, MD, a fellowship-trained colorectal surgeon, is a strong proponent for robotic and other minimally invasive techniques. “I can do almost all colon resection or rectal prolapse surgeries this way,” he says. “Compared to open surgery, that means less pain, fewer complications and a faster recovery.” 

Dr. Protyniak came to Lehigh Valley Physician Group (LVPG) Colon and Rectal Surgery–Pocono and Lehigh Valley Hospital–Pocono in March. 

Prior to that, he was at Geisinger for six years, where he rose to become Division Chief of Colorectal Surgery. Since 2016, Dr. Protyniak has lived in Stroudsburg, so he welcomed the opportunity to bring his practice closer to home. “It is very rewarding to be part of the community that I am serving,” he says. “My patients become almost like family to me.”

Dr. Protyniak has expertise in state-of-the-art robotic and laparoscopic procedures. He treats the gamut of colorectal pathology, including:

• Colon and rectal cancer
• Diverticulitis
• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)

In addition, he treats benign anorectal conditions, such as: 

• Hemorrhoids
• Anal fistulae and fissures

“Individuals undergoing surgery want to get back to their lives and their loved ones as quickly as possible afterward,” Dr. Protyniak says. His use of up-to-date, minimally invasive techniques leads to shorter hospital stays – about two days, on average. One of his near-term goals is to implement a protocol for same-day discharge in select cases.

Dr. Protyniak emphasizes the importance of partnering with the individuals he treats. “I believe above all in shared decision-making, with a focus on honoring my patients’ autonomy and working together to identify the best treatment for them,” he says.

Collaboration with other members of the health care team is crucial as well. This helps ensure that individuals are aware of all their treatment options, both surgical and nonsurgical.

Dr. Protyniak cites rectal cancer as a condition that specifically benefits from a multidisciplinary team approach. Surgery is typically the mainstay of treatment for rectal cancer. However, in specific individuals, recent research shows the utility of using a combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy alone, thus preserving the rectum and avoiding potential colostomy.