No-mesh inguinal hernia repair near Minnesota/Midwest?

[Tino_7]

quote UhOh!:

My conclusion (still as much a question as anything) was based more on what I saw on his website than anything discussed here.

Lol, I was impressed enough by your ability to draw that conclusion/formulate that kind of question. Shows quite a bit of knowledge, I think.

[UhOh!]

quote Tino_7:

I could be mistaken, but my response to Ddot14 was based on my recollection of a very brief conversation with Dr. Grischkan – too brief to elaborate further. I hope I haven’t introduced any confusion to this topic. You certainly appear to know far more than do I, as I couldn’t even draw the conclusion you did.

My conclusion (still as much a question as anything) was based more on what I saw on his website than anything discussed here.

[Tino_7]

quote UhOh!:

Perhaps you can comment, based on your interaction, but reading Grischkan’s website, it sounds as though he’s using mesh for a fundamentally different purpose than the majority of surgeons.

From what I understand, it’s usually used as a “patch” which, when combined with tissue ingrowth, serves the function of a bandage or splint. It sounds, from what I’ve read, that Dr. Grischkan is trying to get the Gore-Tex (which I thought was a bit stretchy) to mimic the form and function of the damaged fascia itself. It would be reasonable to expect different results, no?

I could be mistaken, but my response to Ddot14 was based on my recollection of a very brief conversation with Dr. Grischkan – too brief to elaborate further. I hope I haven’t introduced any confusion to this topic. You certainly appear to know far more than do I, as I couldn’t even draw the conclusion you did.

[UhOh!]

quote Tino_7:

Dr. Grischkan will attempt a tissue repair first, but if it is too large for that, he will use a Gore-Tex mesh. I consulted with him and he said my hernia (Grade 2) can be a tissue repair, but cautioned me that if it grew too much he’d have to use mesh. He did say the quality of his mesh was above that used in all other mesh repairs at hospitals.

Perhaps you can comment, based on your interaction, but reading Grischkan’s website, it sounds as though he’s using mesh for a fundamentally different purpose than the majority of surgeons.

From what I understand, it’s usually used as a “patch” which, when combined with tissue ingrowth, serves the function of a bandage or splint. It sounds, from what I’ve read, that Dr. Grischkan is trying to get the Gore-Tex (which I thought was a bit stretchy) to mimic the form and function of the damaged fascia itself. It would be reasonable to expect different results, no?

[Tino_7]

quote Ddot14:

I too would like to hear more detail about Dr. Grischkan’s results. I had looked at him a while back but was concerned that his website is somewhat contradictory about whether or not he uses mesh (gore-tex?) in repairs, and when I called his office the person on the phone also seemed somewhat non-committal about mesh. As I understand it, the mesh patch would be very small if used at all. I don’t know enough about the technicalities of hernia repair to understand if his modified Shouldice repair is good, bad, or unknown so far as recurrence and chronic pain rates. He claims good results for recurrence, but I’ve not seen his method compared to any other repair type, so don’t know what to make of that. He’s done a ton of hernia repairs using his method, so it seems like there should be more information available someplace. I think I remember reading that he was also very expensive for those without insurance he accepts.

Dr. Grischkan will attempt a tissue repair first, but if it is too large for that, he will use a Gore-Tex mesh. I consulted with him and he said my hernia (Grade 2) can be a tissue repair, but cautioned me that if it grew too much he’d have to use mesh. He did say the quality of his mesh was above that used in all other mesh repairs at hospitals.

[scaredtodeath]

I think for a very long time possibly

[Red Oak]

Ddot14, I have not yet had surgery and did not call Dr. Szotek. I can’t find any information about him other than his own website. I’d like information that is unbiased.

Health issues of one of my children have put my own issues on hold. In the past year, my symptoms have not worsened and so I am still “watchful waiting”. Most days, I feel no discomfort, even after a long walk. Some days, the bulge is bigger at the end of the day; other days, not so much. It is completely reducible. I am now 7 years into watchful waiting and hoping that I can continue on this way for a while. What is the longest anyone has heard of staying with watchful waiting? Can I just continue to live with it as-is?

[Ddot14]

Thanks [USER=”935″]drtowfigh[/USER] – I forgot to mention that I’ll likely have to drive wherever I end up going, as the person available to go with me can’t fly due to medical issues. So closer is better (probably can only travel about 450 miles per day), but if I can’t find a match anywhere “close”, I need to plan for a longer drive (ick) or find someone else who can travel with me (unlikely).

I’d love to have a tissue repair consult with you or some of the other doctors listed on this site (would be so nice to start at the top!), but for the reasons above am first trying to stay as close to home as reasonably possible. I realize that may not end up being realistic for multiple reasons. Insurance is also a challenge so finances also figure in depending on doctor, etc.

I have indeed seen and noted names of tissue repair doctors on this site, and they’re very helpful. But I hadn’t seen anyone in Michigan as you mentioned, at least not that I recall. Is Shouldice in Toronto who you meant when you mentioned Michigan, or was there a specific doctor or clinic actually in Michigan you were thinking of?

[drtowfigh]

Toronto, for the Shouldice Clinic is another alternative near you.

That said, if you’re going to travel by plane, not sure it matters the distance. We have a lot of names listed here for tissue repair, including my own. Use the Search option on this site.

[Ddot14]

Thanks for your response, [USER=”935″]drtowfigh[/USER] – I so appreciate that you take the time to respond to this forum on a regular basis!

I’m assuming you are referring above to Paul Szotek in Indiana and David Grischkan in Ohio? Please correct me if I’m wrong on either of those!

I don’t believe I know about any tissue repair hernia specialists in Michigan. Can you tell me who you have in mind?

It looks as though it may also be time to look at enlarging my search area, so any particularly strong recommendations/ experiences anyone may have for highly qualified, experienced inguinal hernia tissue repair surgeons are welcome, regardless of location. Seems like nothing’s ever easy… 🙂

[drtowfigh]

[USER=”2335″]Ddot14[/USER] unfortunately there is a black hole. You are right.

You’d have to travel. Closest would be Ohio, Michigan, Indiana.

[dog]

Dr. Grischkan.Is a great choice !

[kcm]

I considered surgery with Dr. Grischkan. If you fill out his online form he will call you personally.

[Ddot14]

I too would like to hear more detail about Dr. Grischkan’s results. I had looked at him a while back but was concerned that his website is somewhat contradictory about whether or not he uses mesh (gore-tex?) in repairs, and when I called his office the person on the phone also seemed somewhat non-committal about mesh. As I understand it, the mesh patch would be very small if used at all. I don’t know enough about the technicalities of hernia repair to understand if his modified Shouldice repair is good, bad, or unknown so far as recurrence and chronic pain rates. He claims good results for recurrence, but I’ve not seen his method compared to any other repair type, so don’t know what to make of that. He’s done a ton of hernia repairs using his method, so it seems like there should be more information available someplace. I think I remember reading that he was also very expensive for those without insurance he accepts.

[Ddot14]

Interesting and helpful discussion – I really appreciate everyone’s help and Input! I apologize for taking so long to reply. Been busy with family medical issues 🙁

No, I haven’t yet found a surgeon to perform a no-mesh repair on my inguinal hernia, but the urgency is ramping up as my hernia is becoming more symptomatic and increasing somewhat in size. The surgeon decision is made more difficult because I am unable to fly, so will have to drive to wherever the surgeon is located – thus the reason for trying to find a no-mesh hernia specialist as close to Minnesota as possible (which I now realize isn’t likely to happen). Like Red Oak, family responsibilities make it challenging to travel, but it’s important to get to a great surgeon rather than end up with a sub-par repair so I’ll need to make it work somehow.

Thank you [USER=”935″]drtowfigh[/USER] for checking with your contacts at the University of Minnesota hernia center and confirming that they know of no local tissue repair surgeons. If you can’t track down anyone in Minnesota, there probably aren’t any, which confirms what others of us have been finding. It seems that there are multiple good options on the west coast, maybe a few in the southwest, and some in the northeastern U.S., but most other areas seems more or less devoid of no-mesh hernia specialists. Do you know of any qualified surgeons in this “black hole” area?

[USER=”2678″]Red Oak[/USER], how are you getting along? Have you had a chance to talk with Dr. Paul Szotek in Indianapolis? He is close to you and his website says he does no-mesh hernia repairs. It doesn’t say what repair methods (Shouldice, Bassini, Desarda, etc) he uses or how long he’s been doing them. Not sure if he also does mesh repairs so be sure he knows you are wanting no-mesh repair. I think he accepts insurance but also offers a fixed price hernia repair and it appears that he may offer a lifetime guarantee if the repair fails? Interesting. I haven’t been able to find much information about him online, but was wondering if you have learned anything that helped you make a decision either way. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of detail or specifics on his website, but the list of hernia work he apparently does, including recurrent hernias and mesh removal, is pretty lengthy. I’d be interested to find more input on Dr. Szotek and read some of his no-mesh Inguinal hernia repair patients’ experiences and impressions to see if he might be a possibility for me.

Just some thoughts and a bit of an update about my lack of progress so far. I’m still in the thick of things though, so any additional thoughts, suggestions, or other info are appreciated!

[Momof4]

Did you try the center in Minnesota that Dr. Towfigh recommended? I would trust her recommendations. When you say that you have allergies and sensitivities, that should be a red flag when considering implanting a synthetic material in you. Be advised that most permanent sutures are polypropelene as well. I had some skin patch allergy testing done with mesh and suture samples. Dr. Towfigh referred me for that. The tests certainly aren’t perfect, Dr. Towfigh admits too, and one of the allergists that I saw didn’t feel like skin patches are a good way to test for implant reaction. One thing he did say though was if I did react on the skin he certainly wouldn’t recommend implanting that material. He also said that a negative skin reaction doesn’t mean you won’t react to same material when implanted. It’s complicated and I’m not sure there is a good way to know how someone will react to an implant. People with pre existing allergies should be very careful!!

[Red Oak]

Chaunce1234, thank you for those recommendations! I have been in “watchful waiting” for about 6 years, and am just now starting to get discomfort at the end of the day that makes it uncomfortable to take long walks or exercise. Earlier in the day, no problem. I would like to find someone who does non-mesh and has extensive experience operating on women (Momof4, your situation is exactly my concern), since I have allergies and sensitivities that would make it more likely for me to have issues with mesh repair. I have looked at Dr. Szotek’s website, as he is closest to the Chicago suburbs. I plan on contacting his office. Is there somewhere on this forum where I can find patient reviews of specific doctors or surgery centers? Thank you!

[drtowfigh]

University of Minnesota has a hernia center under Dr Archana Ramaswamy. Try that.

Not aure if they offer tissue repair.

[dog]

quote Chaunce1234:

I can’t speak from specific experience but you can find a lot of reviews and thoughts of Dr Grischkan around the web. Beyond that, his website says he has repaired something like 20,000 hernias, which is a huge number, I’m not sure if there are many other surgeons with that volume of experience fixing only hernias.

There’s also the Shouldice clinic in Toronto Canada, which is fairly close to the midwestern states as well. Most USA-based insurance probably won’t cover Shouldice, but then again the all-in cost of Shouldice is still often less than deductibles and co-insurance with many insurance plans.

Chaunce1234 You are SOOO correct about deductibles !!!! Boy i still like more [h=1]DESARDA technique…. If i would go for Shouldice ..My choice would be this doctor https://www.centerforherniarepair.com/meet-dr-jonathan-yunis/[/h]

[Chaunce1234]

quote Jeremy B:

I am in the same boat; live in Minnesota, even checked with Mayo clinic, all mesh. I think Grischkan in OH is probably the closest non mesh hernia specialist. I wish someone here could speak to Grischkans results.

I can’t speak from specific experience but you can find a lot of reviews and thoughts of Dr Grischkan around the web. Beyond that, his website says he has repaired something like 20,000 hernias, which is a huge number, I’m not sure if there are many other surgeons with that volume of experience fixing only hernias.

There’s also the Shouldice clinic in Toronto Canada, which is fairly close to the midwestern states as well. Most USA-based insurance probably won’t cover Shouldice, but then again the all-in cost of Shouldice is still often less than deductibles and co-insurance with many insurance plans.