Last month, Dr. Reinhorn participated in the annual meeting of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) held in Montreal, Canada. SAGES is committed to improving patient care through innovation, education, and collaboration.
Dr. Reinhorn and Dr. Fullington are hernia surgery specialists, focusing on inguinal, umbilical, and epigastric hernias to provide exceptional care for their patients. During the SAGES meeting, Dr. Reinhorn addressed an audience of over 500 individuals about inguinal hernias. Dr. Reinhorn’s presentation prompted thought-provoking questions about how surgeons could acquire training in this “new technique.” There is a discussion about whether video or coaching could be utilized to teach more surgeons how to perform inguinal hernia surgery. Dr. Reinhorn showed a video of a no mesh or Shouldice hernia repair and talked about when he performs that repair vs the less invasive Open Preperitoneal Repair (OPP). The format resembled “Mystery Science Theatre 3000” and added a unique and enjoyable touch to the event.
Additionally, Dr. Reinhorn was invited to author more book chapters about OPP/TREPP, which is a solid option compared to traditional hernia surgery. Patients who received OPP hernia surgery experienced reduced postoperative pain, lower opioid use, and an improved quality of life as reported by patients. This surgical approach can help improve postoperative recovery for most inguinal hernia patients while almost eliminating chronic pain. At Boston Hernia, we strongly believe that it is crucial for surgeons to shift their focus towards eradicating chronic pain instead of simply accepting it as the norm. By providing education and training to our fellow surgeons, we can have a significant positive impact on our patients’ lives.
At Boston Hernia, we specialize in the OPP/TREPP inguinal hernia repair, a posterior mesh repair that promotes fast recovery. This procedure is performed through a small incision in the groin and is typically done under local anesthesia with sedation when appropriate. This method has been found to be an excellent alternative to laparoscopic or robotic surgeries, particularly for patients with a BMI below 33.
Overall, the SAGES annual meeting proved to be an exceptional platform for Dr. Reinhorn to attend informative sessions on enhancing patient outcomes, network with other professionals in the industry, and explore novel methods of advancing patient care upon return to Boston.