General & Gastrointestinal Surgery Medical Professionals

Referring to University Hospitals Comprehensive Hernia Center

University Hospitals serves millions of patients each year and more than 200,000 of these patients are referred by physicians from all over the world. Referring physicians receive complete, ongoing communication provided by our multidisciplinary team of health care providers with the goal of keeping physicians and patients comfortable during all stages of hernia repair.

Patients referred to UH can be seen at the Comprehensive Hernia Center at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center or at any of our eleven regional medical centers. Outpatient care is provided at:

UH Surgeons Are Experienced in Minimally Invasive Hernia Repair

Routine first-time hernia patients will benefit greatly from referral to the surgical teams that surgeons from around the world trust for the most complex care. UH experts perform a high volume of minimally invasive laparoscopic hernia procedures each year with outstanding results, including:

Less pain
Faster recovery time
Fewer complications
Less recurrence of hernia

Most groin hernia surgeries can be performed on an outpatient basis, with the procedure lasting about 20 minutes. Patients typically return home the same day and are able to resume light work or leisure activities within two to three days.

Patient-Centered Approach to Care

This patient-centric approach focuses on what is truly best for each referral: a durable and lasting repair while reducing discomfort and ensuring a fast and complete recovery.

With experts in both minimally invasive and open surgical techniques, our center ensures that patients receive the optimal procedure for their specific circumstance. If, prior to surgery, UH doctors find that a patient needs to meet certain criteria, such as weight loss or smoking cessation, we provide the right tools and resources needed for a successful outcome.

Contacting the Physician Referral Department

Since communication with referring physicians is critical, we have established the Physician Referral Department which expedites and safeguards the flow of information.

Physician Referral Department staff are available to answer calls Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST. (After 4:30 p.m., a voice mail can be left for non-emergency information requests, which will be returned the following morning.)

The UH Physician Referral Department routinely helps health care professionals:

Expedite consultations with University Hospitals physicians, departments and faculty
Coordinate patient referrals
Discuss atypical or problematic cases
Order specialized tests
Confirm a diagnosis
Process medical records or patient specific information

Please contact the Department by phone at 216-844-7553 or toll-free: 800-552-8338.

In order to expedite requests, please have the following information available when you call:

The patient's address and phone number for day and evening
Insurance information

You may also search our comprehensive online physician directory for direct phone access to primary care and specialty practitioners.

Additional Resources

The research scientists at the UH Comprehensive Hernia Center are committed to advanced discovery for improved patient outcomes. Our groundbreaking clinical research has led to scientific discoveries that have successfully translated into effective techniques for patient care.