Signs That Your Hernia Repair Failed, and What to Do About It

Accomplished surgeon Dr. David Greuner has practiced medicine for more than a decade. A vascular, general, thoracic surgeon, he practices at NYC Surgical Associates in New York City and handles a variety of cardiovascular conditions. In addition to that, Dr. David Greuner performs procedures that correct failed hernia repairs.

A sack of tissue, hernias bulge through gaps in the abdominal muscles. It is often treated with a surgery, but this procedure can sometime fail due to a problem with healing or poor surgical technique.

Most patients notice that their hernia repair surgery may have failed after experiencing pain or burning near the area where the original hernia was located. Pressure or a new bulge in this area is also a sign that the repair surgery may have failed. In many cases, this occurs due to a weakening in the body wall because of age or increasing body weight. Regardless of the cause, failed hernias must be operated on again, and this second operation is often more difficult because of previous damage and scarring.

When a second procedure is performed, most surgeons must use a different technique and go in through a different area. Incisions in the same area risk cutting the scar tissue from the first repair surgery. For this reason, surgeons may also opt for approaching the hernia from behind the abdominal muscle instead of from the front.

The ACS 2018 Clinical Congress to be Held in Boston

The co-founder of NYC Surgical Associates, Dr. David Greuner has been practicing medicine for more than a decade. During that time, he has completed several medical research studies, givens numerous presentations, and written published papers. Dr. David Greuner is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (ACS).

Since 1913, ACS has been improving surgical practice, education, and patient care through events such as its annual Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons. One of the world’s largest meetings for surgeons, the Clinical Congress features video-based education sessions, postgraduate didactic courses, and panel sessions.

The 2018 Clinical Congress will be held October 21-25 in Boston, Massachusetts, and will feature scientific sessions, courses at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, and technical and scientific exhibits. The Westin Boston Waterfront will act as the meeting’s hotel headquarters.

The theme of the 2018 Clinical Congress is the “Joy and Privilege of a Surgical Career.” Participants will have the option of attending more than 100 different panel sessions.

NYC Surgical Associates Provides Treatment for Deep Vein Thrombosis

Dr. David Greuner is a New York-based surgeon who has been named one of America's Most Beautiful Doctors by The Doctors Show. An expert in minimally invasive surgical techniques for cardiovascular disease, Dr. David Greuner currently serves as the managing director and cofounder of NYC Surgical Associates.

NYC Surgical Associates is a New York City-based clinic that was founded in 2011. The organization, which also treats patients throughout the New Jersey region, prides itself on the training and qualifications of its doctors. Currently, NYC Surgical Associates offers the services of over ten physicians with expertise in areas ranging from hernias and fibroids to breast reduction and deep vein thrombosis. 

Deep vein thrombosis, a blood disorder, stems from a blood clot that developed in the vein of a leg. The condition causes pain, tenderness, swelling, and even fatigue in the leg. To treat thrombosis, doctors at NYC Surgical Associates utilize a minimally invasive operation known as a trellis procedure. The procedure involves the insertion of a catheter into the affected area followed by the application of blood clot dissolving medication. X-ray technology guides the entire operation, which works much quicker than blood thinning medication or more invasive operations.

Treatment Options for Uterine Fibroids

Since 2011, Dr. David Greuner has performed general, vascular, and thoracic surgery at his co-founded practice, NYC Surgical Associates. There, Dr. David Greuner and his colleagues provide a broad range of traditional and minimally invasive procedures for many medical conditions, including uterine fibroids.

Uterine fibroids are benign growths that develop in the uterus. They are idiopathic in nature, which means they have no known cause, and are often asymptomatic. However, some are sizable enough and located in such a way as to cause abnormal bleeding and/or pain and pressure in the lower abdomen.

If a patient's fibroids are causing disruptive symptoms, removal may be necessary. Some undergo surgery while others opt for radiofrequency ablation, which breaks down the fibroid using heat.

A doctor also may recommend a fibroid embolization. This takes place using an intravenous catheter, which delivers a compound that closes off the artery feeding the fibroid. Deprived of nutrients, it dies and detaches from the uterus.

When patients undergo embolization at a practice with specialized experience, such as that offered at NYC Surgical Associates, they may be able to go home the same day thanks to advanced arterial access techniques and nerve blocks that minimize post-surgical pain.

Timely Endovascular Therapy Shows Promise for Stroke Patients

An award-winning cardiovascular surgeon, Dr. David Greuner guides NYC Surgical Associates in New York City. In his practice, Dr. David Greuner specializes in minimally invasive surgical techniques, particularly endovascular therapy.

Commonly used in the cardiovascular surgery field, endovascular therapy greatly reduces the need for invasive surgeries by treating conditions from within the blood vessel with catheter placement. For example, one of the best-known forms of endovascular therapy is an angioplasty in which the surgeon uses a balloon attached to a catheter to widen arteries clogged with plaque. 

Recent research indicates that endovascular therapy may also play a critical role in treating stroke patients. In particular, an endovascular thrombectomy, which involves using a catheter to remove a blood clot from the brain, can be especially effective when performed in a timely fashion. 

According to a study discussed at the International Stroke Conference, the outcome for individuals hospitalized with strokes is greatly improved for those who receive timely endovascular thrombectomies as compared with those who receive standard medical treatment. The new data indicates that the treatment window for this kind of stroke treatment might be as wide as 24 hours, far larger than previously thought. These findings build upon a meta-study reported in 2016 in The BMJ, which analyzed several studies related to endovascular therapy and stroke patients.

Varicose Veins Involving Superficial Blood Clots

Serving patients throughout New York, board-certified Dr. David Greuner leads NYC Surgical Associates as co-founder and managing director. Known for his pioneering minimally invasive techniques, Dr. David Greuner handles complex conditions such as varicose veins and blood clots. 

Varicose veins are characterized as twisted, swollen veins that protrude visibly just under the skin’s surface. The blood flow through the veins can become labored and sluggish, with the possible result of a superficial blood clot forming. Also known as phlebitis or superficial thrombophlebitis, this condition is associated with tenderness, pain, and leg swelling. 

The positive news is that, unlike the deep vein thrombosis (DVT) blood clots associated with deep veins, superficial clots do not typically travel to the lungs. This avoids the risk of a pulmonary embolism, or a blood clot of the lungs, occurring. However, in some cases severe blood clots in the varicose veins can result in DVT. For this reason, it is important to seek counsel with an experienced physician at the first sign of vein-related issues.

Where Cycling Trumps Running

Baylor University alumnus Dr. David Greuner received his medical training at St. George’s University. After completing residency programs in Arizona and New Jersey, he was accepted as a Fellow in cardiothoracic surgery at Montefiore Medical Center. Following the completion of his fellowship, Dr. David Greuner co-founded NYC Surgical Associates, where he practices privately. A fitness advocate, he enjoys cycling during his free time.

Cycling has numerous health benefits; as a matter of fact, the UK’s National Health Services recommends cycling at least 150 minutes per week in order to build cardiovascular fitness. Some experts even recommend cycling over other types of exercise such as running.

While running helps individuals get fit, it is also a high-impact activity that might be hard on the lower extremities. Cycling, on the other hand, achieves the same effect by mobilizing the legs and increasing the heart rate without pounding on the joints. In this regard, League of American Bicyclists President Andy Clarke claims that cycling is a great cardio workout for those who are recovering from injury. It can also be a great cross-training option for those who want to preserve the knees for long-distance running.