Hernia Education and Research

Hernia Fellowship Program

The Department of Surgery has a fellowship program in Minimally Invasive Surgery, accredited by The Fellowship Council.

To apply for the fellowship program, visit The Fellowship Council.

For additional information contact:
Minimally Invasive Surgery and Bariatric Surgery Fellowship Coordinator
Michelle Amabile
Phone: 704-355-4870

General Surgery Residency Program

The General Surgery Residency Program at Carolinas Medical Center, part of Atrium Health, is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. The program provides residents with a balance of clinical training, formal education and research opportunities in all areas of general surgery.

Education consists of intense clinical and research experience, guided by a dedicated faculty from the following divisions:

• Colorectal Surgery
• Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery
• Pediatric Surgery
• Surgical Oncology
• Thoracic Surgery
• Transplant Surgery
• Trauma, Acute Care Surgery and Surgical Critical Care
• Vascular Surgery

The Simulation Center – dually accredited by the Society of Simulation in Healthcare and the American College of Surgeons – provides state-of-the-art technical training, team-scenario training and extensive operative training.

Research at Carolinas Hernia Institute

Carolinas Hernia Institute’s collective expertise in hernia surgery makes us a recognized leader in developing advancements that improve the field of medicine and benefit patients around the world.

Promoting use of mobile technology to improve patient care, outcomes and education. Investing in green initiatives to make the practice of medicine more environmentally friendly.

Advancements in Technology

The Carolinas Equation for Quality of Life (CeQOL) mobile app is the first medical or surgical predictive app in the world. Based on research by Carolinas Hernia Institute physicians, the CeQOL app's powerful algorithm helps surgeons and patients predict a patient's risk of pain and discomfort after inguinal hernia surgery, while also providing patients extensive information on hernias and their treatment.

The Carolinas Equation for Determining Associated Risks (CeDAR) mobile app predicts the risks and financial impact of wound-related problems following ventral hernia repair. CeDAR calculates a percentage chance of developing specific postoperative complications requiring treatment along with the corresponding cost of this treatment. These results can then be used to discuss an individual patient's risk for wound problems after surgery and what they can change to improve their odds for a good result.

The “Green Operating Room: Simple Changes to Reduce Cost and Our Carbon Footprint” research initiative has demonstrated that simple changes can lead to a more sustainable, environmentally conscious operating room while also reducing costs.

Ongoing Research Projects

International Hernia Mesh Registry – Carolinas Hernia Institute participates in this ongoing, worldwide study of surgical and quality-of-life outcomes following hernia surgery. With more than 40 participating sites in the United States, Europe, Canada and Australia, this study is changing how both surgeons and patients approach hernia repair.

Mobile Application Use in Surgery – This study evaluates how well patients remember information about the risks and benefits of hernia repair, provided during the consent-for-surgery process, and whether the use of a mobile phone or computer tablet app influences their ability to recall this information postoperatively.

Genetics of Recurrent Hernia Formation – This study is aimed at identifying genes that may make certain people more vulnerable to recurring incisional hernia formation. Identifying these genetic markers and better understanding the development of hernias could lead to advances in hernia prevention and treatment techniques.

Pedometer-Based Assessment of Postoperative Mobility – This study evaluates whether using a pedometer to measure postoperative movement affects patients motivation with activity recommendations. A secondary goal is to evaluate the use of pedometers to measure postoperative nursing care and quality of provider-patient communication.

Microbiome of Abdominal Wall Hernia Repair – The goals of this study are to define the microbiome (microorganisms and genetic material) of patients undergoing ventral hernia repair and to determine if specific organisms or patterns of bacterial colonization impact exposure to wound and mesh infections.

Selected Physician Publications

Heniford BT1, Walters AL, Lincourt AE, Novitsky YW, Hope WW, Kercher KW. Comparison of generic versus specific quality-of-life scales for mesh hernia repairs. J Am Coll Surg. 2008 Apr;206(4):638-44. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2007.11.025. Epub 2008 Feb 1.

Colavita PD, Tsirline VB, Belyansky I, Walters AL, Lincourt AE, Sing RF, Heniford BT. Prospective, long-term comparison of quality of life in laparoscopic versus open ventral hernia repair. Ann Surg. 2012 Nov;256(5):714-22; discussion 722-3. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0b013e3182734130. PMID: 23095614

Colavita PD, Tsirline VB, Belyansky I, Walters AL, Lincourt AE, Sing RF, Heniford BT. Prospective, long-term comparison of quality of life in laparoscopic versus open ventral hernia repair. Ann Surg. 2012 Nov;256(5):714-22; discussion 722-3. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0b013e3182734130.

Deeken CR, Eliason BJ, Pichert MD, Grant SA, Frisella MM, Matthews BD. Differentiation of biologic scaffold materials through physicomechanical, thermal, and enzymatic degradation techniques. Ann Surg. 2012 Mar;255(3):595-604. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0b013e3182445341

Tsirline VB, Colavita PD, Belyansky I, Zemlyak AY, Lincourt AE, Heniford BT. Preoperative pain is the strongest predictor of postoperative pain and diminished quality of life after ventral hernia repair. Am Surg. 2013 Aug;79(8):829-36. PMID: 23896254

Colavita PD, Tsirline VB, Walters AL, Lincourt AE, Belyansky I, Heniford BT. Laparoscopic versus open hernia repair: outcomes and sociodemographic utilization results from the nationwide inpatient sample. Surg Endosc. 2013 Jan;27(1):109-17. doi: 10.1007/s00464-012-2432-z. Epub 2012 Jun 26. PMID: 22733198

Kim M, Oommen B, Ross SW, Lincourt AE, Matthews BD, Heniford BT, Augenstein VA. The current status of biosynthetic mesh for ventral hernia repair. Surg Technol Int. 2014 Nov;25:114-21. PMID: 25396323

Wormer BA, Augenstein VA, Carpenter CL, Burton PV, Yokeley WT, Prabhu AS, Harris B, Norton S, Klima DA, Lincourt AE, Heniford BT. The green operating room: simple changes to reduce cost and our carbon footprint. Am Surg. 2013 Jul;79(7):666-71.

Ross SW, Oommen B, Heniford BT, Augenstein VA. Components separation in complex ventral hernia repair: surgical technique and post-operative outcomes. Surg Technol Int. 2014 Mar;24:167-77. PMID: 24700223.

J Am Coll Surg. 2008 Apr;206(4):638-44. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2007.11.025. Epub 2008 Feb 1.Comparison of generic versus specific quality-of-life scales for mesh hernia repairs. Heniford BT1, Walters AL, Lincourt AE, Novitsky YW, Hope WW, Kercher KW.

Summer Internship Program in General Surgery at Atrium Health

Atrium Health offers a unique summer internship program that exposes participants to the field of general surgery by engaging them in a professional medical environment.

All undergraduate, graduate and post-baccalaureate students from all institutions who plan to apply to medical school are eligible. This includes community college, CSU, UC, private university and graduating high school students who are at least 17 years old.

Program Highlights

• Ten-week program
• Opportunity to interact with physicians in the Department of Surgery through every step of patient care in the clinics, pre- and postoperative units, operating rooms and bedside meetings
• Research fellows and faculty assist interns along the way, with the goal that each student serve as author on at least one publication
• Participation in two mini-courses, including Good Clinical Practices in Research and Principles in Biostatistics, and they will contribute to a weekly research meeting, updating attending physicians and research faculty on progress with individual projects

How to Apply
Five paid positions and multiple unpaid positions are available.
Students' resumes will serve as their applications to the program.
Interviews will be conducted at Carolinas Medical Center annually in April.
For more information on the program, call 704-355-4870.