Jacob Langer

Jacob C. Langer trained in general surgery and paediatric surgery in Toronto. He did research in fetal surgery at University of California, San Francisco. He held faculty positions at McMaster University in Hamilton Ontario, and Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, before returning to Canada as the Chief of General and Thoracic Surgery at SickKids, and inaugural holder of the Robert M. Filler Chair, positions that he held from 1999 to 2012. He is internationally recognized for his contributions to the management of children with Hirschsprung disease and other pediatric colorectal conditions, as well as for his development and leadership of the only paediatric bariatric surgery program in Canada. He was the President of the Canadian Association of Paediatric Surgeons from 2012-2014, and has received many other honours and awards.

Research

• Clinical research into the management of Hirschsprung disease
• Clinical research into the management of inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)
• Clinical research into the role of partial splenectomy in the management of children with hereditary spherocytosis
• Clinical research into bariatric surgery in children and adolescents

Education and experience

• 1976–1980: Medical school, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
• 1981–1985: General Surgery residency, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
• 1985–1987: Paediatric Surgery fellowship, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON
• 1987–1989: Research fellowship, University of California, San Francisco
• 1989–1992: Assistant Professor of Surgery, McMaster University Children’s Hospital, Hamilton, ON
• 1992–1999: Associate Professor of Surgery, Washington University and St. Louis Children’s Hospital, St. Louis, MO
• 1999–present: Professor of Surgery, University of Toronto and The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON

Achievements

• 1995: Innovative Scientist of the Year, St. Louis Academy of Science
• 1999–2012: Chief of General and Thoracic Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children
• 1999–2012: Inaugural Robert M. Filler Chair in Paediatric Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children
• 2006: Operation Herbie Doctor of the Year
• 2007: James IV Travelling Fellowship
• 2012–2014: President, Canadian Association of Paediatric Surgeons
• 2014: Detweiler Traveling Fellowship, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
• 2014: List of Toronto’s 30 Best Doctors, Toronto Life Magazine
• 2015–present: Associate Editor, Journal of Pediatric Surgery

1. Langer JC. Surgical approach to Hirschsprung disease. Semin Pediatr Surg. 2022;31(2):151-156.  
2. Akinkuotu AC, Hamilton JK, Birken C, Toulany A, Strom M, Noseworthy R, Hagen J, Dettmer E, Langer JC. Evolution and Outcomes of a Canadian Pediatric Bariatric Surgery Program.  J Pediatr Surg. 2019 May;54(5):1049-1053. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2019.01.038. Epub 2019 Feb 2.PMID:30808540
3. Saadai P, Trappey AF, Goldstein AM, Cowles RA, De La Torre L, Durham MM, Huang EY-D, Levitt MA, Rialon K, Rollins M, Rothstein D, Langer JC, on behalf of the American Pediatric Surgical Association Hirschsprung Disease Interest Group: Guidelines for the management of postoperative soiling in children with Hirschsprung Disease. Pediatric Surgery International 35:829-34, 2019
4. Pugi J, Carcao M, Drury LJ, Langer JC. Results after laparoscopic partial splenectomy for children with hereditary spherocytosis: Are outcomes influenced by genetic mutation?. J Pediatr Surg. 2018 May;53(5):973-975. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2018.02.027. Epub 2018 Feb 8. PMID:29506817
5. Langer JC, Rollins MD, Levitt M, Gosain A, Torre L, Kapur RP, Cowles RA, Horton J, Rothstein DH, Goldstein AM; American Pediatric Surgical Association Hirschsprung Disease Interest Group. Guidelines for the management of postoperative obstructive symptoms in children with Hirschsprung disease. Pediatr Surg Int. 2017 May;33(5):523-526. doi: 10.1007/s00383-017-4066-7. Epub 2017 Feb 8. Review.PMID:28180937