Medical Invention and Innovation: World-Class Care at The Center for Plastic Surgery at Sentara Princess Anne & Fort Norfolk

As an expert in plastic and reconstructive surgery, Howard Levinson, M.D., is determined to give his patients outstanding results — which may mean inventing new tools to get the job done right.

Dr. Levinson, the Clinical Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at The Center for Plastic Surgery at Sentara Princess Anne & Fort Norfolk, is internationally recognized for his surgical skills. He’s also the inventor of an innovative new system for soft-tissue surgery that has improved surgical outcomes for hundreds of patients (and counting).

“Innovation is just another part of my commitment to ensuring patients receive the best care,” says Dr. Levinson, who is also the Chief of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS).

A New Approach to Hernia Repair

Dr. Levinson is skilled in a range of plastic and reconstructive surgery procedures. His expertise includes cosmetic surgeries such as breast augmentation and tummy tuck, as well as procedures to restore form and function after cancer, injury or illness. Among his specialties is surgery to repair the abdominal wall in patients with abdominal hernias, also known as ventral hernias.

Abdominal hernias occur when part of the lining of the abdomen bulges through a hole in the abdominal wall. Surgeons typically repair hernias by stitching shut the weak spot in the abdominal wall. Often, they place a piece of surgical mesh across the weak area to provide extra strength and prevent the hernia from recurring.

Unfortunately, repeat hernias are common. In almost one-third of people who have their hernia repaired with traditional surgery, the hernia comes back within 10 years. One main reason for the high recurrence rate is thought to be that the stitches (sutures) used to secure the mesh in place can tear through the mesh or through the patient’s tissue.

Those sutures, Dr. Levinson realized, just weren’t up to the task. “The tools we had weren’t sufficient. It didn’t matter how skilled the surgeon was or how well they performed the technique,” Dr. Levinson says. “Since the right tool didn’t exist, I decided to invent it.”

Improving Patient Care

Dr. Levinson turned to the natural world for inspiration. “Human-made tools like glue and sutures weren’t working, so I thought about how nature solves the problem of anchoring two things together,” he says. He zeroed in on tree roots, which wind through the soil in many directions. The roots form a kind of lattice that distributes force evenly across the ground, holding the tree in place.

Over the better part of a decade, Dr. Levinson developed his idea into a new surgical system that weaves surgical mesh through the tissue, spreading out force like the roots of a tree. The promising idea received more than $5 million in grants, including funding from the National Institutes of Health. The technology was cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2020. More than 10,000 anchoring systems have been placed in patients so far, with very good outcomes, he says.

As the system grows in popularity, surgeons are beginning to use it for other procedures, including tummy tucks and breast reconstruction surgeries. “What excites me most is hearing from so many surgeons who are thrilled to finally have a better option,” Dr. Levinson says. “This system is making a real difference for their patients and mine.”

A Medical Inventor and More

Dr. Levinson joined The Center for Plastic Surgery at Sentara Princess Anne & Fort Norfolk in 2023, aiming to provide Virginians with premier surgical care close to home. In addition to providing excellent clinical care, the program continues to develop new medical technologies and engage in advanced research to move the field forward.

Dr. Levinson is board-certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery from the American Board of Plastic Surgery and previously served as the president of the Plastic Surgery Foundation/American Society of Plastic Surgeons. He practices in Virginia Beach and Norfolk. Learn more about Dr. Levinson.

At the Center for Plastic Surgery at Sentara Princess Anne & Fort Norfolk, patients come first. Our experienced surgeons have extensive training in a wide range of services. Contact us to schedule a consultation with Dr. Levinson.