When I look back at some of my earliest research publications, I’m reminded of how my career began deeply rooted in the academic side of medicine. One of my first projects, which I proudly presented during my training, focused on a rare and aggressive cancer of the pelvic region.

The case involved Fournier’s Gangrene in the setting of an underlying carcinoma—a condition where cancer in the pelvis presented alongside a severe, life-threatening infection.

This was not just another “rare case report.” It was a turning point for me. It highlighted how subtle signs—like a non-healing wound or unusual swelling—can sometimes mask a much more serious underlying condition such as colorectal cancer or other malignancies. What struck me most was how important it is to look beyond the surface: in medicine, the obvious isn’t always the whole story.

For patients, this reinforces a lesson I’ve carried with me ever since: pay attention to the details of your health, and never ignore changes that don’t go away. Even something that seems small can signal something more complex, and timely evaluation can make all the difference.

Over the years, I’ve continued to publish and contribute to the scientific community, with articles that cover a wide spectrum of surgical challenges. Some of my publications include:

• Persistent pseudoaneurysm after non-operative management of a Grade 4 liver injury (Trauma Case Reports, 2023)
• Brachial artery injury resulting from a dog bite in a pediatric patient (Cureus, 2023)
• Closed-loop bowel obstruction years after an open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (Cureus, 2021)
• Limb salvage resection of massive dedifferentiated thigh liposarcoma in a patient lost to follow-up (Cureus, 2021)
• Appendicitis caused by endometriosis within the bowel wall (Cureus, 2020)

Each of these projects deepened my understanding of complex surgical conditions and sharpened my ability to think critically about patient care. Research has always been a way for me to bring innovation from the academic world directly into the operating room.

But while I value research, what truly drives me today is the opportunity to serve my community here in Palm Beach and Broward County. My focus is on general and minimally invasive surgery, with a special commitment to helping patients recover faster and return to their lives with confidence. The advanced techniques I use now—like robotic and laparoscopic surgery—are part of the same vision that guided my research years ago: combining precision, innovation, and compassion to deliver the best outcomes possible.

Looking back at that poster reminds me how far I’ve come, but also how much those early lessons continue to shape the way I practice medicine today. Whether it’s a complex cancer case or a straightforward hernia repair, my goal remains the same: to provide advanced surgery with fast recovery, right here at home for my patients.

? If you’d like to learn more about my approach to modern surgical care, I invite you to explore some of my recent blogs:

• Robotic Hernia Repair in Palm Beach: Your Path to Faster Recovery
• Life After Hernia Repair: Your First 3 Weeks
• Same-Day Surgery 101: How Outpatient Procedures Keep You Out of the Hospital

? Further Reading – My Scientific Publications

For those who want to explore my academic work in more depth, here are links to some of my peer-reviewed publications:

• Mann AJ, Rueda M, Azar F, Ramseyer M, Lottenberg L, Borrego R. Persistent pseudoaneurysm after non-operative management of a Grade 4 liver injury. Trauma Case Reports, 2023. DOI: 10.1016/j.tcr.2023.100946
• Meknarit S, Mann AJ, Azar F, et al. Brachial Artery Injury Resulting From a Dog Bite in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report. Cureus. 2023;15(9):e45889. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.45889
• Mann AJ, Laconi N, Smith RS. Closed-loop bowel obstruction years after an open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Cureus. 2021;13(10):e18586. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.18586
• Calvo NJ, Mann AJ, Lopez-Viego M, et al. Limb salvage resection of massive dedifferentiated thigh liposarcoma in a patient lost to follow-up. Cureus. 2021;13(2):e13356. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.13356
• Gupta AK, Mann AJ, Belizon A. Appendicitis caused by endometriosis within the bowel wall. Cureus. 2020;12(8):e9614. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.9614