Physician’s Profile
Profile image of Yuri William Novitsky, MD

Yuri William Novitsky, MD

Director, Comprehensive Hernia Center
Chief, Division of Abdominal Wall Surgery
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Expertise:

General Surgery
Hernia Repair
Surgery

About:

Dr. Novitsky is internationally known for his expertise in advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgery as well complex inguinal and ventral hernia repairs. Driven by a determination to improve outcomes for the millions of patients who undergo hernia surgery each year, he has focused intensively on research to advance surgical technique and improve tissue responses to surgical mesh. He is perhaps best known for pioneering techniques for minimally-invasive ventral hernia repair and open abdominal wall reconstructions; the procedure known as transversus abdominis muscle release (TAR), which he first described in 2006, has become widely adopted worldwide since he published three-year results in 2009.

His current national leadership roles include chairmanship of the Practice Advisory Committee, Americas Hernia Society; membership on the Guidelines Committee of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES); the Value Analysis Initiative of the SAGES Hernia Task force; American Hernias Society Board of Governors, and others.

Dr. Novitsky earned his medical degree at Albany College and completed residencies in General Surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center and University of Massachusetts, Worcester, followed by fellowships in minimally invasive surgery at University of Massachusetts and the Carolinas Medical Center. He was Chief of Laparoscopic Surgery for four years at University of Connecticut Health Center prior to his move to Cleveland in 2011.

Dr. Novitsky has received over $2 million in grants from SAGES, the National Institutes of Health, and other funders to research improvements in hernia repair and gastroesophageal reflux disease. He has published over 130 peer-reviewed journal articles and numerous book chapters. In addition to his clinical and research activities, Dr. Novitsky mentors post-doctoral students and remains actively involved in medical education.

In sharing his talents with our patients, faculty, and medical students, Dr. Novitsky will undoubtedly strengthen the Division of General Surgery in all facets of patient care, research, and education.

Honors:

SAGES Research Grant, April 2016

Best Doctors 2015, 2016, 2017 Cleveland Magazine

Bassini Prize for Best Oral Presentation American Hernia Society, 2013

Patients’ Choice Award, Top 5% Surgery Physician in Ohio MDx Medical, Inc. 2012-2016

SAGES Research Grant, April 2013

Patients’ Choice Award, Top 5% Surgery Physician in Connecticut MDx Medical, Inc. 2008-2010

Young Investigator Award World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery, June 2008

Young Investigator Travel Grant International Society of Digestive Surgery, November 2006

Exhibit Advisory Council Travel Award Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, November 2005

Poster of Distinction Award Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, April 2005

Gold Medal Paper Southeastern Surgical Congress, February 2005

Karl Storz Best Oral Presentation Forum European Association of Endoscopic Surgery, June 2004

Poster of Distinction Award Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, April 2004

Poster of Distinction Award Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, March 2003

Resident Achievement Award Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, April 2001

Outstanding House Officer Teaching Award Student Council, University of Massachusetts Medical School, April 2000

Phi Beta Kappa New York Chapter, May 1994

Honor Scholar New York University, New York, NY, May 1993

Publications:

Majumder A, Novitsky YW. Outcomes of Stapled Transabdominal Ostomy Reinforcement with Retromuscular Mesh (STORRM) procedure for retromuscular parastomal hernia repair. Americas Hernias Society, Washington, DC, March 2016.

Majumder A, Prabhu AS, Novitsky YW, Onders RP. Overcoming respiratory morbidity of abdominal wall reconstruction: will temporary diaphragm pacing be the solution? Americas Hernias Society, Washington, DC, March 2016.

Zahiri HR, Holmatova OI, Miller M, Park AE, Novitsky YW, Belyansky I. Short-Term Outcomes Post Laparoscopic Abdominal Wall Reconstruction: A Novel Approach and Prospective Multi-Institutional Case Series Study. SAGES, Boston, MA, March 2016.

Majumder A, Pauli EM, Novitsky YW. Outcomes of retromuscular repair of complex flank hernias. World Conference on Abdominal Wall Hernia Surgery, Milan, Italy, April 2015.

Majumder A, Fayezizadeh M, AydoÄŸdu K, Hope WW, Novitsky YW. Evaluation of a novel capped helical coil fastener in a porcine model of laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. World Conference on Abdominal Wall Hernia Surgery, Milan, Italy, April 2015.

Petro CC, Raigani S, Orenstein SB, Klick JC, Rowbottom JR, Novitsky YW, Rosen MJ. Permissive Intra-abdominal Hypertension Following Open Incisional Hernia Repair: a novel concept. Americas Hernia Society, Las Vegas, NV, March 2014.

De Silva G, Krpata DM, Hicks CW, Criss CN, Gao Y, Novitsky YW, Rosen MJ. A Comparative Radiographic Analysis of Changes in the Abdominal Wall Musculature Morphology After Posterior Component Separation and Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair. Americas Hernia Society, Orlando, FL, March 2013.

Criss CN, Krpata DM, Gao Y, Will P, Blatnik JA, Rosen MJ, Novitsky YW. Abdominal wall reconstruction in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Americas Hernia Society, Orlando, FL, March 2013.

Brathswaite S, Krpata DM, Novitsky YW, Rosen MJ. What's in your operative note? A report on the inaccuracies of operative dictation in patients undergoing ventral hernia repairs with mesh. 5th International Hernia Congress. New York, NY. March, 2012.

Echemendia N, Krpata DM, Harth KC, Novitsky YW, Rosen MJ. Does epidural analgesia effect post-operative management following ventral hernia repair? 5th International Hernia Congress. New York, NY. March 2012.

Sadava EE, Krpata DM, Gau Y, Novitsky YW, Rosen MJ. Does pre-soaking synthetic mesh in antibiotics reduce infection in a clean-contaminated field? 5th International Hernia Congress. New York, NY. March, 2012.

Krpata DM, Blatnik JA, Echemendia N, Novitsky YW, Rosen MJ. Drain fluid cytokine profile following ventral hernia repair with mesh. 5th International Hernia Congress. New York, NY. March, 2012.

Krpata DM, Blatnik JA, Novitsky YW, Rosen MJ. A 5-year clinical experience with single-staged repairs of infected and contaminated abdominal wall defects. 5th International Hernia Congress. New York, NY. March, 2012.

Krpata DM, Schmotzer BJ, Jin J, Blatnik JA, Novitsky YW, Rosen MJ. Demonstration of improved quality of life following ventral hernia repair with HerQLes. 5th International Hernia Congress. New York, NY. March, 2012.

Blatnik JA, Krpata DM, Jacobs M, Novitsky YW, Rosen MJ. Effect of wound contamination on modern absorbable synthetic mesh. Abdominal Wall Reconstruction Conference. Washington, DC, May 2011.

Phillips MS, Krpata DM, Blatnik JA, Novitsky YW, Rosen MJ. The challenges of abdominal wall reconstruction in the super morbidly obese. Abdominal Wall Reconstruction Conference. Washington, DC, May 2011.

Krpata DM, Phillips MS, Blatnik JA, Novitsky YW, Rosen MJ. Appraisal of pre-operative pneumoperitoneum for abdominal wall reconstruction of ventral hernias with loss of domain. Abdominal Wall Reconstruction Conference. Washington, DC, May 2011.

Blatnik JA. Krpata DM, Phillips MS, Novitsky YW, Rosen MJ. Evaluation of Fibrin Glue at the Hiatus for Para-esophageal Hernia Repair. Ohio Chapter of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), Cincinnati, OH. May 2011.

Novitsky YW, Stapleton RT, Scott JR. Antimicrobial efficacy of a minocycline/rifampin composite mesh coating in a rabbit model of open ventral hernia repair. World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery, San Antonio, TX, March 2011.

Saberski ER, Orenstein SB, Kreutzer DP, Novitsky YW. Murine tissue responses to human biologic meshes after short- and long-term implantations. New York Regional Society of Plastic Surgeons. New York, NY, March 2011

Antar OS, Orenstein SB, Novitsky YW. Effect of Patient and Hospital Characteristics on Outcomes of Elective Ventral Hernia Repair in the United States. New England Surgical Society. Saratoga Springs, NY, October 2010.

Orenstein SB, Kreutzer DP, Novitsky YW. Murine Tissue Responses to Human Biologic Meshes after Short- and Long-term Implantation. New England Surgical Society. Saratoga Springs, NY, October 2010.

Orenstein SB, Saberski ER, Matheson D, Novitsky YW. Real-time cadaveric laparoscopy and laparoscopic video demonstrations in gross anatomy: influence on learning and career choice. World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery, National Harbor, MD, April 2010.

Liang Y, Roberts A, Monteagudo J, Orenstein SB, Senatus PB, Onyiuke H, Novitsky YW. Benefits of laparoscopy for ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery, National Harbor, MD, April 2010

Saberski ER, Orenstein SB, Matheson D, Novitsky YW. Live cadaveric laparoscopy in gross anatomy: influence on learning and career choice. American College of Surgeons, Chicago, IL, October, 2009.

Orenstein SB, Qiao Y, Klueh U, Kreutzer DP, Novitsky YW. Role of mast cells in the biocompatibility of synthetic mesh. American/European Hernia Societies meeting, Berlin, Germany, September, 2009.

Elliott HL, Orenstein SB, Novitsky YW. Laparoscopic wedge resection of gastric lesions: peri-operative morbidity and long-term efficacy. European Association of Endoscopic Surgeons Prague, Czech Republic, June, 2009.

Orenstein SB, Fitzgerald H, Reines L, Novitsky YW.Advantages of the hand-assisted approach to elective open colectomies. Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract. Chicago, IL, June 2009.

Elliott HL, Qiao Y, Klueh U, Kreutzer DL, Litwin DEM, Novitsky YW. Decreased expression of hepatic signaling phosphoproteins after laparoscopic and hand-assisted surgery. Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, Philadelphia, PA, April 2008.

Reines L, Elliott HL, Kercher KW, Heniford BT, Novitsky YW. Hand-assisted laparoscopic colectomy: is there an advantage over open resections? The New England Surgical Society, Burlington, VT, September 2007.

Novitsky YW, Norton JH, Kercher KW, Heniford BT. Benefits of the hand-assisted approach to colon resections. Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, Las Vegas, NV, April 2007.

Novitsky YW, Peindl RD, Harrell AG, Kercher KW, Heniford BT. Anisotropy of common meshes: orientation at implantation affects prosthetic compliance. American Hernia Society, Boston, MA, June 2006.

Stefanidis D, Kuwada TS, Novitsky YW, Zerey M, Coumas JM, Gersin KS, Heniford BT, Sing RF. Are serum metabolic values reliable in detecting abnormalities in skeletal and muscle mass in patients undergoing gastric bypass? American Society for Bariatric Surgery. San Francisco, CA, June 2006.

Paton BL, Novitsky YW, Kercher KW, Heniford BT. Multiple failed fundoplications are likely not amenable to laparoscopic revision. Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract. Los Angeles, CA, May 2006.

Paton BL, Novitsky YW, Zerey M, Harrell AG, Sing RF, Kercher KW, Heniford BT. Utility of capsule endoscopy in evaluating surgical diseases of the small intestine. Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, Dallas, TX, April 2006.

Novitsky YW, Harrell AG, Paton BL, Irby PB, Heniford BT, Teigland CM, Kercher KW. Favorable outcomes of simultaneous bilateral laparoscopic hand-assisted nephrectomies. Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, Dallas, TX, April 2006.

Novitsky YW, Kaban GK, Harrell AG, Rosen MJ, Kuwada TS, Kercher KW, Litwin DEM, Heniford BT. Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication in patients with severe esophageal dysmotility. Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract. Chicago, IL, May 2005.

Rosen MJ, Cobb WS, Novitsky YW, Kercher KW, Harrell AG, Sing RF, Heniford BT. Laparoscopic versus open colostomy reversal: a comparative analysis. Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons. Ft. Lauderdale, FL, April 2005.

Novitsky YW, Harrell AG, Rosen MJ, Cobb WS, Sing RF, Kercher KW, Heniford BT. Evaluation of the efficacy of LigaSure™ devices in sealing porcine lymphatic vessels. Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons. Ft. Lauderdale, FL, April 2005.

Harrell AG, Kercher KW, Cobb WS, Rosen MJ, Novitsky YW, Kuwada TS, Heniford BT. Laparoscopic simple cecectomy: minimally invasive therapy for cecal polyps. Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons. Ft. Lauderdale, FL, April 2005.

Novitsky YW, Cobb WS, Harrell MJ, Thrasher BB, Eskind LB, Heniford BT, Kercher KW. Transplantation of laparoscopically-procured right versus left kidneys: comparative analysis of intraoperative graft ischemia and postoperative graft function and survival. Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons. Ft. Lauderdale, FL, April 2005.

Kaban GK, Novitsky YW, Czerniach DR, Perugini RA, Kelly JJ, Litwin DEM. Peritoneal pH changes following hand-assisted, laparoscopic, and open nephrectomy. Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons. Denver, CO, April 2004.

Novitsky YW, Czerniach DR, Kaban GK, Wheeler S, Perugini RA, Litwin DEM. Decreased activation of peritoneal macrophages following hand-assisted versus open surgery in a porcine model. Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons. Denver, CO, April 2004.

Czerniach DR, Kaban GK, Novitsky YW, Wheeler SM, Perugini RA, Kelly JJ, Schmidt RC, Litwin DEM. Optimizing laparoscopic task efficiency: the role of camera and monitor positions. Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons. Las Vegas, NV, September 2003.

Kaban GK, Czerniach DR, Novitsky YW, Perugini RA, Kelly JJ, Litwin DEM. Use of a laparoscopic hand-assist device for accessory splenectomy. Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons. Los Angeles, CA, March 2003.

Novitsky YW, Czerniach DR, Perugini RA, Gallagher KA, Kelly JJ, Litwin DEM. Impact of laparoscopic adrenalectomy: a 10-year experience of a tertiary care University hospital. Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons. Los Angeles, CA, March 2003.

Perugini RA, Czerniach DR, Novitsky YW, Litwin DEM, Kelly JJ. Laparoscopic Roux en-Y gastric bypass in Super- and Suprasuper-obese patients: results from our initial series of 137 patients. Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract. San Francisco, CA, May 2002.

Novitsky YW, Czerniach DR, Perugini RA, Yood SM, Kercher KW, Gallagher KA, Callery MP, Litwin DEM, Kelly JJ. Prospective randomized trial of mini-port versus conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract. San Francisco, CA, May 2002.

Czerniach DR, Novitsky YW, Perugini RA, Kelly JJ, Schmidt RC, Litwin DEM. Effects of image variables on videoscopic task performance. Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons. New York, NY, March 2002.

Novitsky YW, Romanelli JR, Perugini RA, Kelly JJ, Litwin DEM. Laparoscopic gastric bypass for super-obese patients. European Association of Endoscopic Surgery. Maastricht, Netherlands, June 2001.

Novitsky YW, Kneser U, Lawrence J. Bonassar LJ, Vacanti CA, Vacanti MP. Initial identification and characterization of hepatic spore-like cell in the adult rat. Tissue Engineering Society International. Orlando, FL, November 2000.