Lutfi Al-Khouja, MD

Areas of Expertise

My Specialties

  • Hernia repair
  • Abdominal wall reconstruction
  • Minimally invasive surgery
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Our Care Advisors can answer many of your questions. They will connect you with the best healthcare provider for your needs.

Get to Know Me

I’m a surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). I specialize in hernia surgery and complex abdominal wall reconstruction, which involves rebuilding the abdominal wall if it has been damaged or weakened.

A hernia happens when the abdominal wall in your body gets weak or tears. This lets organs or tissue push through. I treat many kinds of hernias, including groin (inguinal), belly button (umbilical), and hernias that form at the site of an old surgery scar (incisional).

I also treat hernias that come back after being repaired. Some patients have large or complex problems with the abdominal wall. This can happen after surgery to remove a tumor or after past operations.

I’m an expert in open surgery, laparoscopic surgery (small cuts and a tiny camera), and robotic surgery (small cuts and robotic tools that I control). This allows me to choose the best option for each patient’s needs. When it’s safe and appropriate, I use minimally invasive methods, which use smaller cuts. This can mean less pain and a faster recovery.

For more complex cases, I rebuild the abdominal wall to make it strong and stable again so it can work normally. At MSK, I work closely with plastic and reconstructive surgeons, surgical oncologists, and other experts to give you one complete treatment plan.

I know that surgery can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve already had multiple operations or are facing a cancer diagnosis. I start with listening to your concerns, goals, and expectations. I take the time to explain your condition and treatment options, so you can make decisions that feel right to you. Not every hernia needs surgery right away. Together, we will decide on the best course of care.

If you do need surgery, I’ll be with you at each step of the process, from planning, preparing, recovering, and follow-up care. I want to not only provide durable repair but also improve comfort, restore function, and help you return to the activities you love. I believe the best results come from careful planning, clear communication, and working together as a team.

Outside of work, I enjoy running, tennis, traveling, and being outdoors. I value staying active and know how important it is for my patients to return to what matters most to them.

What I Do at MSK

I'm a surgeon, which is a doctor with special training in many types of surgery.

  • Assistant Attending Surgeon
Areas of Expertise

My Specialties

  • Hernia repair
  • Abdominal wall reconstruction
  • Minimally invasive surgery
  • Robotic surgery
  • Laparoscopic surgery
This list shows some key areas of focus, but it may not cover all expertise. When making an appointment, you will be matched with the best healthcare provider for your needs.
Education & Honors

Education

  • Bachelor of Science, University of California Riverside
  • MD, University of California, Los Angeles

Residencies

  • General Surgery, University of California, Irvine Medical Center

Board Certifications

  • General Surgery

Awards and Honors

  • Dr. Ninh Nguyen Chairman's Excellence Award, University of California, Irvine Medical Center (2021)
  • Dr. Sherif Emil's Fawzia Gadallah Award, University of California, Irvine Medical Center (2020)
  • Surgical Resident Award for Outstanding Teaching, University of California, Irvine Medical Center (2019)
  • Golden Scalpel Award for Medical Student Teaching, Department of Surgery, University of California, Irvine Medical Center (2017)

Insurance Information

Understanding your insurance options is an important part of managing your cancer care. We have relationships with many common healthcare providers and plans.

Learn more about the insurance plans that participate with MSK.

If you don't have health insurance or are worried that your care may not be fully covered, our financial assistance programs may be able to help.

Health plans can change at any time. Call the number on the back of your insurance card to see what your plan covers. Make sure it covers the MSK location where you’ll get care.

If you have questions about insurance, call us at 646-497-9176.

Make an Appointment

Current Patients
Request an appointment by calling your Care Team or messaging them in MSK MyChart.

Contact and Location

Office Phone
Location
New York, NY
1275 York Avenue New York NY 10065
1133 York Avenue New York NY 10065
160 East 53rd Street New York NY 10022

Looking to see a doctor at a different location? See all MSK locations.

Colleagues

Doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering work as teams, with specialists from all different areas. This allows us to consider all your needs together, and to give you the best possible care.

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Clinical Trials

Smiling doctors in the lab
Find a Clinical Trial for You

Memorial Sloan Kettering's doctors and scientists are constantly developing new treatments for cancer. MSK is typically running hundreds of clinical trials at a given time.

You may be able to participate in a clinical trial even if you are new to MSK. Search our online directory to find trial information and see more about who can participate.

Search clinical trials

Research and Publications

Publications on PubMed

Visit PubMed for a full listing of Dr. Al-Khouja’s journal articles. Pubmed is an online index of research papers and other articles from the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.

See all on PubMed