Lora M. Melman, MD,FACS

Dr. Melman’s focus is on providing cutting-edge surgical care. She is a leader in Fast-Track Surgery/ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery)—a methodology to improve surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction while decreasing recovery times and narcotic medication requirements. She is also a nationally-recognized expert in Hernia Repair and Hernia Mesh, and is the Director of the Hernia Center of New Jersey at Advanced Surgical & Bariatrics of NJ, PA. Areas of expertise include: repair of all types of abdominal wall hernias, sports hernias, diaphragmatic hernias, treatment of reflux disease and esophageal dysmotility disorders, and surgical weight loss for obesity. She is a widely published author of peer-reviewed literature on hernia mesh and biomaterials. Her commitment is to excellence and to helping patients achieve their personal best outcome(s).

Philosophy of Care:

My goal is to help each patient realize and achieve their full potential through operations that improve their quality of life.

Publications:

1) Brown SR, Gyawali CP, Melman L, Jenkins ED, Bader J, Frisella MM, Brunt LM, Eagon LC, Matthews BD. Clinical outcomes of atypical extra-esophageal reflux symptoms following laparoscopic antireflux surgery. Surg Endosc. 2011 Dec;25(12):3852-8. 2) Jenkins ED, Melman L, Desai S, Deeken CR, Greco SC, Frisella MM, Matthews BD. Histologic evaluation of absorbable and non-absorbable barrier coated mesh secured to the peritoneum with fibrin sealant in a New Zealand white rabbit model. Hernia. 2011 Dec;15(6):677-84. 3) Jenkins ED, Lerdsirisopon S, Costello KP, Melman L, Greco SC, Frisella MM, Matthews BD, Deeken CR. Laparoscopic fixation of biologic mesh at the hiatus with fibrin or polyethylene glycol sealant in a porcine model. Surg Endosc. 2011 Oct;25(10):3405-13. 4) Deeken CR, Melman L, Jenkins ED, Greco SC, Frisella MM, Matthews BD. Histologic and biomechanical evaluation of crosslinked and non-crosslinked biologic meshes in a porcine model of ventral incisional hernia repair. J Am Coll Surg. 2011 May;2012(5):880-8. 5) Jenkins ED, Melman L, Deeken CR, Greco SC, Frisella MM, Matthews BD. Biomechanical and histologic evaluation of fenestrated and nonfenestrated biologic mesh in a porcine model of ventral hernia repair. J Am Coll Surg. 2011 Mar;212(3):327-39. 6) Melman L, Jenkins ED, Hamilton NA, Bender LC, Brodt MD, Deeken CR, Greco SC, Frisella MM, Matthews BD. Histologic and biomechanical evaluation of a novel macroporous polytetrafluoroethylene knit mesh compared to lightweight and heavyweight polypropylene mesh in a porcine model of ventral hernia repair. Hernia. 2011 Aug;15(4):423-31. 7) Melman L, Jenkins ED, Hamilton NA, Bender LC, Brodt MD, Deeken CR, Greco SC, Frisella MM, Matthews BD. Early biocompatibility of crosslinked and non-crosslinked biologic meshes in a porcine model of ventral hernia repair. Hernia. 2011 Aug;15(2):157-64. 8) Brown SR, Melman L, Jenkins E, Deeken C, Frisella MM, Brunt LM, Eagon JC, Matthews BD. Collagen type I:III ratio of the gastroesophageal junction in patients with paraesophageal hernias. Surg Endosc. 2011 May;25(5)1390-4. 9) Melman L, Jenkins ED, Deeken CR, Brodt MD, Brown SR, Brunt LM, Eagon JC, Frisella M, Matthews BD. Evaluation of acute fixation strength for mechanical tacking devices and fibrin sealant versus polypropylene suture for laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. Surg Innov. 2010 Dec;17(4):285-90. 10) Jenkins ED, Melman L, Desai S, Brown SR, Frisella MM, Deeken CR, Matthews BD. Evaluation of intraperitoneal placement of absorbable and nonabsorbable barrier coated mesh secured with fibrin sealant in a New Zealand white rabbit model. Surg Endosc. 2011 Feb;25(2):604-12. 11) Jenkins ED, Melman L, Deeken CR, Greco SC, Frisella MM, Matthews BD. Evaluation of fenestrated and non-fenestrated biologic grafts in a porcine model of mature ventral incisional hernia repair. Hernia. 2010 Dec;14(6):599-610. 12) Jenkins ED, Melman L, Frisella MM, Deeken CR, Matthews BD. Evaluation of acute fixation strength of absorbable and nonabsorbable barrier coated mesh secured with fibrin sealant. Hernia. 2010 Oct;14(5):505-9. 13) Jenkins ED, Yom V, Melman L, Brunt LM, Eagon JC, Frisella MM, Matthews BD. Prospective evaluation of adhesion characteristics to intraperitoneal mesh and adhesiolysis-related complications during laparoscopic re-exploration after prior ventral hernia repair. Surg Endosc. 2010 Dec;24(12)3002-7. 14) Jenkins ED, Yip M, Melman L, Frisella MM, Matthews BD. Informed consent: cultural and religious issues associated with the use of allogenic and xenogenic mesh products. J Am Coll Surg 2010 Apr;210(4):402-10. 15) Jenkins ED, Yom VH, Melman L, Pierce RA, Schuessler RB, Frisella MM, Christopher Eagon J, Michael Brunt L, Matthews BD. Clinical predictors of operative complexity in laparoscopic ventral hernia repair: a prospective study. Surg Endosc 2010 Aug;24(8):1872-7. 16) Melman L, Chisholm PR, Curci JA, Arif B, Pierce R, Jenkins ED, Brunt LM, Eagon C, Frisella M, Miller K, Matthews BD. Differential regulation of MMP-2 in the gastrohepatic ligament of the gastroesophageal junction. Surg Endosc 2010 Jul;24(7):1562-5. 17) Melman L, Azar R, Beddow K, Brunt LM, Halpin VJ, Eagon JC, Frisella MM, Edmundowicz S, Jonnalagadda S, Matthews BD. Primary and overall success rates for clinical outcomes after laparoscopic, endoscopic, and open pancreatic cystgastrostomy for pancreatic pseudocysts. Surg Endosc. 2009 Feb;23(2):267-71. 18) Melman L, Quinlan J, Robertson B, Brunt LM, Halpin VJ, Eagon JC, Frisella MM, Matthews BD. Esophageal manometric characteristics and outcomes for laparoscopic esophageal diverticulectomy, myotomy, and partial fundoplication for epiphrenic diverticula. Surg Endosc. 2009 Jun;23(6):1337-41 19) Melman L, Quinlan J, Hall B, Brunt LM, Pierce R, Halpin VJ, Eagon JC, Robertson B, Frisella MM, Matthews BD. Clinical utility of routine barium esophagram after laparoscopic anterior esophageal myotomy for achalasia. Surg Endosc. 2009 Mar;23(3):606-10. 20) Curci JA, Melman LM, Thompson RW, Soper NJ, Matthews BD. Elastic fiber depletion in the supporting ligaments of the gastroesophageal junction: a structural basis for the development of hiatal hernia. J Am Coll Surg, Aug 2008; 207(2):191-6. 21) Pierce RA, Jonnalagadda S, Spitler JA, Tessier DJ, Liaw JM, Lall SC, Melman LM, Frisella MM, Todt LM, Brunt LM, Halpin VJ, Eagon JC, Edmundowicz SA, Matthews BD. Incidence of residual choledocholithiasis detected by intraoperative cholangiography at the time of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients having undergone preoperative ERCP. Surg Endosc. 2008 Nov; 22(11):2365-72. 22) Melman L, Johnson FE. Intramuscular Cavernous Hemangioma. American Journal of Surgery, Jun 2008; 195(6):816-7. 23) Hostetler KY, Beadle JR, Trahan J, Aldern KA, Owens G, Schriewer J, Melman L and Buller RM. Oral 1-O-octadecyl-2-O-benzyl-sn-glycero-3-cidofovir targets the lung and is effective against a lethal respiratory challenge with ectromelia virus in mice. Antiviral Res, Mar 2007; 73(3): 212-8. 24) Buller RM, Owens G, Schriewer J, Melman L, Beadle JR, Hostetler KY. Efficacy of Oral Active Ether Lipid Analogs of Cidofovir in a Lethal Mousepox Model. Virology, 20 January 2004; 318(2): 474-81. 25) Melman L, Geuze HJ, Li Y, McCormick LM, Van Kerkhof P, Strous GJ, Schwartz AL, Bu G. Proteasome Regulates the Delivery of LDL Receptor-related Protein (LRP) into the Degradation Pathway. Mol Biol Cell, September 2002; 13(9): 3325-35. 26) Melman L, Cao ZF, Rennke S, Marzolo MP, Wardell M, Bu G. High Affinity Binding of Receptor-associated Protein to Heparin and Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-related Protein Requires Similar Basic Amino Acid Sequence Motifs. J Biol Chem,3 August 2001; 276 (31): 29338-46. 27) Melman L. How Bariatric Surgery Impacts Type 2 Diabetes. obesityhelp.com 20 April 2020 Book Chapters 1) Melman Lora, Matthews Brent. Chapter 26: Hernia. The Washington Manual of Surgery, 6th edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Philadelphia, PA 2012 2) Melman L, Matthews BD. Current trends in laparoscopic solid organ surgery: spleen, adrenal, pancreas, and liver. Surg Clin North Am. 2008 Oct;88(5):1033-46, vii. Abstracts 1) Ragui Sadek, Andrew Wassef, Lora Melman. “Endo-Bariatrics: Guidelines, Pitfalls, and Solutions: Outpatient experience” SOARD, August 2016;12, issue 7, supplement, S187 Invited Talks November 2019 “Robotic Surgery: the Future is Now”, Greenbriar at Whittington Distinguished Speaker Series, Monroe, NJ September 2018 “Updates in Advanced Hernia Repair and Protocols for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery”, RWJ-Hamilton Grand Rounds, Hamilton NJ August 2018 “Updates in Advanced Hernia Repair and Protocols for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery”, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin CME dinner, Edison NJ February 2017 “Advances in Bariatric Surgery”, RWJ New Brunswick OB-GYN Multidisciplinary Conference, New Brunswick NJ November 2016 “Advances in Bariatric Surgery”, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin CME dinner, Edison NJ September 2016 “Advances in Bariatric Surgery”, RWJ-Hamilton Grand Rounds, Hamilton NJ April 2016 “Updates in Bariatric Surgery”, RWJ-Somerset Hospital Med-Surg Symposium, Somerville NJ April 2016 “Journey of a Lifetime”, Invited Keynote Address, Rutgers Premed Society Meeting, Bush Campus Center, Piscataway, NJ March 2016 “A Common Language: how do we classify mesh?”, SAGES Annual Meeting Invited Faculty speaker and panelist, Boston, MA February 2015 “Surgical Tactics”, Invited Faculty, Department of Surgery Grand Rounds, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH May 2015 “Phat and Fit in 2015”, Waterbury Hospital Annual Gala Event, Featured Speaker, Waterbury, CT International and National Conference Presentations November 2019 Poster Presentation, American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Meeting, Las Vegas NV “Improving Referral Process for Bariatric Patients with an HbA1c >6.5% March 2016 Poster Presentation, senior author SAGES Annual Meeting, Boston MA “Thinking outside the [trainer] box: a competition curriculum to develop laparoscopic proficiency and problem-solving in surgical trainees” March 2016 Oral Presentation, speaker SAGES Annual Meeting, Boston MA “A Common Language: How Do We Classify Mesh”. Invited speaker for “Oy, What a Mesh” CME-accredited session March 2010 Oral Presentation, speaker American Hernia Society Meeting, Orlando FL 1)“Biomechanical Evaluation of a Novel Macroporous PTFE Knit Mesh Compared to Lightweight and Heavyweight Polypropylene Meshes in a Porcine Model of Mature Ventral Incisional Hernia Repair” 2) “Histologic Evaluation of a Novel Macroporous PTFE Knit Mesh Compared to Lightweight and Heavyweight Polypropylene Meshes in a Porcine Model of Ventral Incisional Hernia Repair” 3)“Biocompatibility of Crosslinked and Non-Crosslinked Biologic Mesh Materials in a Porcine Model of Mature Ventral Incisional Hernia Repair” September 2009 Oral Presentation, speaker World Hernia Congress, Berlin, Germany 1) “Evaluation of crosslinked and non-crosslinked biologic mesh in a porcine model of ventral hernia repair” 2) “ Evaluation of acute fixation strength for mechanical tacking devices and fibrin sealant versus polypropylene suture for laparoscopic ventral hernia repair” April 2009 Oral Presentation, speaker SAGES Annual Meeting, Phoenix, AZ 1) “Differential Regulation of MMP-2 in the Gastrohepatic Ligament of the Gastroesophageal Junction” April 2008 Oral Presentations, speaker SAGES Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA 1) “Assessment of the Clinical Utility of Routine Barium Esophagram After Laparoscopic Anterior Esophageal Myotomy for Achalasia” 2) “Primary and Overall Success Rate and Clinical Outcomes for Laparoscopic, Endoscopic, and Open Pancreatic Cystgastrostomy for Pancreatic Pseudocysts” 3) “Esophageal Manometric Characteristics and Outcomes for Laparoscopic Esophageal Diverticulectomy, Myotomy, and Partial Fundoplication for Epiphrenic Diverticula” March 2008 Oral Presentation, speaker American Hernia Society Meeting, Scottsdale, AZ 1) “Laparoscopic Suprapubic Hernia Repair” October 2006 Video Presentation, American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress, Chicago, IL Pierce, R.A., Melman, L., Spitler, J., Frisella, M.M., Matthews, B.D. “Laparoscopic resection of a retroperitoneal lymphangioma” November 2003 Oral Presentation, speaker Southern Medical Association Meeting, Atlanta, GA 1) “An orthopox aerosol model for testing antivirals” December 2000 Poster Presentation, presenter American Society for Cell Biology Meeting, San Francisco, CA “High Affinity Binding of Receptor-associated Protein to Heparin and Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-related Protein Requires Similar Basic Amino Acid Sequence Motifs”