Paul E Savoca, MD, FACS, FASCRS

I was diagnosed with colon cancer and was referred to Dr. Savoca. He was caring and professional the whole time. The surgery was performed at Inova Fairfax Hospital. The hospital staff and the doctors did a great job. I had no complications at all. The only complaint is that the doctor’s office is typically very busy and there can be a long wait. Expect to be there a while.

i had a colectomy and appendectomy 2 years ago performed by dr savoca at reston hospital.8 inches of my colon removed as well as my appendix. while in the hospital i developed an infection at the point of the incision. while i was told this was a possibility with this type of surgery i was not told that the infection would be ignored by dr savoca’s staff. the nurse told me i had an infection and i should complain, this went on for three days days. finally dr stern who works for dr savoca came in and said the wound had to be cut open again to let the infection drain. he cut me open with no anesthesia 8 inches right down my stomach. the pain was indescribible. again the nurses said i should file a complaint. i should have listened to them. i was confined to the bed with tubes in my throat and penis, i was scared to file a complaint. i was released from the hospital friday night by one of dr savoca’s associates. i told him i was concerned about fluid draining from my wound that smelled like an old roast beef sandwhich and dirty feet. i was told it would be fine put some gause on it. less then 12 hours later i was back in the emergency room with so much fluid pouring out of me no gause or bandage could contain it. i was in the hospital for another week. now two years later the incision on the inside has not healed. i have a thin layer of skin holding my colon fron coming out of my stomach. the hernia is 1.5 inches wide and about seven inches long and i can place my hand in my stomach. i tried going back to work the bulge just kept getting larger like a bubble in a car tire. i filed a complaint with the head of patient safety at reston hospital who new i couldn’t afford a lawyer. she just laughed at me. i can’t work and am trying to get help to have the hernia repaired. i live in california now and there are programs to help people like me thank god. dr savoca has a metal dectector at his office entrance and i thought this was strange. now i know why. if his office did to other people what they did to me i can see why he needs one. the colon is still together, the patch is holding the problem is i only have skin keeping it in place.2 years i have lived with a hole in my abdominal wall. i don’t want anyone else to go through this even though they seem more then capable once the surgery is done your on your own. beware