Wolfgang B. Gaertner, MD, MSc
Division Chair, Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery

Contact Info
Division Chair, Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery
Professor, Department of Surgery
Colon and Rectal Surgeon
MD, Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
Residency, University of Minnesota (General Surgery)
Fellowship, University of Minnesota (Colon and Rectal Surgery)
MSc, Instituto Alfonso Reyes, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
My goal is to provide individualized, world-class, cutting-edge care to patients with diseases of the colon and rectum.
Summary
Dr. Gaertner is originally from Vancouver, Canada, but spent most of his childhood and early life in Mexico. After receiving his medical degree from the Autonomous University of Guadalajara in Mexico, he completed a research fellowship, general surgery residency and colon and rectal surgery fellowship at the University of Minnesota. He is actively involved in both basic science and clinical research of diseases of the colon and rectum, and has published numerous articles and book chapters in his field. Dr. Gaertner is certified by the American Board of Surgery (ABS) and the American Board of Colon & Rectal Surgery (ABCRS); and his clinical expertise includes colorectal oncology, inflammatory bowel disease, and minimally invasive approaches to colorectal diseases.
Expertise
- Colon and Rectal Surgery
- Gastrointestinal Cancer
Awards & Recognition
Professional Associations
Languages
Research
Research Summary/Interests
- Minimally invasive surgery for colorectal diseases (laparoscopy and robotic surgery)
- Colorectal Oncology
- Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)
- Transanal endoscopic microsurgery
- Sphincter preserving operations for rectal cancer
- Diverticulitis
- Clostridium difficile infection after colorectal surgery
- Postoperative abdominal adhesions
- Parastomal hernia repair
Publications
- Ileal pouch fistulas after restorative proctocolectomy: management and outcomes. Gaertner WB, Witt J, Madoff RD, Mellgren A, Finne CO, Spencer MP. Techniques in Coloproctology 2014.
- Multidisciplinary and Evidence-based Management of Fistulizing Perianal Crohn’s Disease. Sordo-Mejia R, Gaertner WB. World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology 2014 Aug 15;5(3):239-51.
- The Evolving Role of Laparoscopy in Colonic Diverticular Disease. Gaertner WB, Kwaan MR, Madoff RD, Rothenberger DA, Belzer GE, Melton GB. World Journal of Surgery 2013 Mar;37(3):629-38.
- Results of combined medical and surgical treatment of rectovaginal fistulas in Crohn’s disease. Gaertner WB, Madoff RD, Mellgren A, Spencer MP, Goldberg SM, Lowry AC. Colorectal Disease 2011 Jun;13(6):678-83.
- Fistula-associated anal adenocarcinoma in Crohn's disease. Iesalnieks I, Gaertner WB, Glaß H, Strauch U, Hipp M, Agha A, Schlitt HJ. Inflammatory Bowel Disease 2010 Oct;16(10):1643-8.
Clinical
Board Certifications
- American Board of Surgery
- American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery
Clinical Interests
Colon and rectal cancer; Diverticulitis; Inflammatory bowel disease; Anorectal diseases; Pelvic floor dysfunction; Laparoscopic and robotic surgery