Editorial independence
Our editorial team operates independently of any commercial sponsor. No advertiser, vendor, or device manufacturer influences which topics we cover or what conclusions we publish. Recommendations follow current evidence and major society guidelines.
Medical review process
Every clinical page is reviewed by a board-certified surgeon before publication and re-reviewed at least annually. Reviewers verify factual accuracy, balance of evidence, and alignment with current AHS, EHS, SAGES, and HerniaSurge international guidance.
Evidence-based methodology
We prioritize systematic reviews, randomized trials, large registry studies, and society guidelines over single small studies, opinion pieces, or non-peer-reviewed sources. Where evidence is mixed, we say so.
How sources are selected
Citations come from peer-reviewed medical journals, major surgical societies, government health bodies, and academic medical centers. We prefer primary sources and link to PubMed or DOI where available.
How content is updated
All pages display a 'Last reviewed' date. We update content when new guidelines, major trials, or material safety information are published. Older pages are flagged for re-review on a rolling 12-month schedule.
Reviewer qualifications
Lead reviewer Dr. Ariel Ortiz, MD, FACS, FASMBS, is a board-certified general surgeon with over 25 years of operative experience. Full reviewer credentials are listed on the Medical Reviewers page.
Advisory board process
Advisory board members are vetted for board certification, hospital privileges, society membership, and absence of disqualifying disciplinary history. Profiles are published only after verification.
Conflict of interest policy
Reviewers and contributors disclose any financial relationships with device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, or surgical centers. Material conflicts disqualify a reviewer from editing pages within that scope.
Advertising disclosure
This site does not host third-party display advertising. The site is operated in collaboration with Hospital CYNTAR, which is named openly throughout — this is a transparent affiliation, not paid placement.
Privacy protection
We do not sell personal information. Consultation requests are transmitted directly to the clinical team and are not shared with third parties for marketing. See our Privacy page for the full policy.
International patient transparency
Patients considering surgery outside their home country deserve clear information about facility credentials, surgeon qualifications, costs, follow-up logistics, and complication pathways. We publish only educational guidance and never make outcome claims we cannot support.
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Educational disclaimer: This page is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual recommendations require consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.