Mayo Clinic's approach
Teamwork
Mayo Clinic pediatric surgeons and colon and rectal surgeons work closely with gastroenterologists and other specialists to tailor treatment to each person's needs. They develop a care plan geared toward controlling pain and preventing complications after surgery.
Advanced technology
Mayo Clinic surgeons use a minimally invasive approach for more than 70% of J-pouch surgeries. That usually means smaller incisions and faster recovery, including a shorter hospital stay, compared with traditional open surgery. Minimally invasive surgery may include laparoscopy, single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS), multiport robotics, and single-site robotics or transanal approaches. For some children, surgeons can do J-pouch surgery through one small incision.
Expertise and rankings
Experience
Mayo Clinic pediatric and colorectal surgeons have extensive experience in their fields, performing thousands of procedures annually.
Learn more about Mayo Clinic's colon and rectal surgery and gastroenterology and hepatology departments' expertise and rankings.
Pediatric expertise
The Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic specializes in diagnosing and treating children with all types of inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis. Mayo Clinic offers a variety of specialists dedicated to the unique concerns of children with digestive issues. These specialists include pediatric gastroenterologists, pediatric surgeons, pediatric endocrinologists, pediatric nurse practitioners, pediatric mental health specialists and other pediatric specialists as needed.
Nationally recognized expertise
Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, ranks No. 1 for digestive disorders in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings. Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, are ranked among the Best Hospitals for digestive disorders by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic Children's in Rochester is ranked the No. 1 hospital in Minnesota and the five-state region of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2025–2026 "Best Children's Hospitals" rankings.
Research
Researchers at Mayo Clinic are at the forefront of new techniques and procedures to improve surgical outcomes and prevent infection. Mayo Clinic pediatric and colorectal surgeons pioneered the J-pouch procedure, making it possible for people to pass stool through the anus after colorectal surgery.
Surgeons at Mayo Clinic were among the first to introduce hand-assisted laparoscopic colon surgery. Mayo Clinic pediatric surgeons have used and studied single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS), performing the J-pouch procedure through only one small incision.
Mayo Clinic Children's
Highly skilled pediatric experts diagnose and treat all types of conditions in children. As a team, we work together to find answers, set goals and develop a treatment plan tailored to your child's needs.
Learn more about Mayo Clinic Children's.
Locations, travel and lodging
Mayo Clinic has major campuses in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; and Rochester, Minnesota. The Mayo Clinic Health System has dozens of locations in several states.
For more information on visiting Mayo Clinic, choose your location below:
Costs and insurance
Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people.
In most cases, Mayo Clinic doesn't require a physician referral. Some insurers require referrals or may have additional requirements for certain medical care. All appointments are prioritized on the basis of medical need.
Learn more about appointments at Mayo Clinic.
Please contact your insurance company to verify medical coverage and to obtain any needed authorization prior to your visit. Often, your insurer's customer service number is printed on the back of your insurance card.
Clinical trials
Explore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions.
Aug. 29, 2026