Sang Won Lee, MD

Sang W. Lee, MD, FACS, FACRS is the Chief of Colon and Rectal Surgery and Costello Clinical Professor at Keck Medicine of USC, specializing in colon and rectal surgery and minimally invasive techniques.

Dr. Lee is one of the nation’s leading experts in laparoscopic and endoluminal colon and rectal surgery. He is the lead inventor of an innovative low-cost, lightweight, wearable negative pressure surgical dressing, which has been shown to reduce surgical site infections and improve wound healing. Dr. Lee has performed more than 2,500 laparoscopic colon and rectal surgeries, published three surgical textbooks, 50 book chapters, and over 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts. He has been invited to deliver more than 200 presentations at national and international meetings.
Dr. Lee received his MD from the New York University School of Medicine, then completed his surgery residency at Beth-Israel Deaconess Hospital with Harvard Medical School. He then went onto continue his advanced training as a fellow in laparoscopic colon and rectal surgery with Jeffrey Milsom at New York Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell Medical Center and as a fellow in Colon and Rectal Surgery at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia Presbyterian/ Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Lee has been board certified in colon and rectal surgery and general surgery since 2001.

Dr. Lee has pioneered a non-invasive surgical technique called CELS (combined endolaparoscopic surgery), which removes complex colon and rectal polyps not amendable for colonoscopic removal while avoiding bowel resection. Dr. Lee also developed a less invasive way to surgically treat Crohn’s and benign rectal strictures. He teaches advanced endoluminal techniques to colorectal surgical fellows twice a year as a part of his mission to bring less invasive techniques to patients across the country.

Dr. Lee and his team have been on the forefront of using minimally invasive surgical techniques and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols to offer their patients faster, less painful recoveries and get them home to their families sooner.

In his role as the chief of the Division of Colorectal Surgery at Keck Medicine of USC, Dr. Lee provides leadership for a world-class colorectal surgery team with expertise across the entire spectrum of colorectal surgery and disease processes.

Dr. Lee’s practice focuses in providing exceptional comprehensive care by preserving function while reducing post-operative pain and complications. Dr. Lee specializes in organ preservation for benign colon tumors, and sphincter-saving surgery to avoid having a permanent colostomy for colorectal cancers and inflammatory bowel disease.

Dr. Lee has been repeatedly recognized as one of the “America’s Top Doctors” by Castle Connolly, as one of New York’s “Best Doctors” by New York Magazine, as a “Top Doctor” in Pasadena Magazine, and a “SuperDoctor” in New York and Los Angeles, an honor given to only 5% of all NY and LA physicians.