Dr. W. Tucker Cline, MD

I saw Dr. Cline for an umbilical hernia repair. I had a prior hernia surgery several years prior, in the same hospital and had a roughly 6" mesh screen placed over my navel as a wide "patch", secured with titanium surgical screws into my abdominal wall. My new navel/hernia I was seeing Dr. Cline for, was centered under that screen and protruding, directly centered in my navel under that screen. When I saw Dr. Cline, I asked how my new hernia may have broken through the screen. He shrugged his shoulders, looked the other way and replied, "It slipped around it". Dismissing it as a common and feasible occurrence. I find that physically impossible since the prior repair was like having a grape centered under a 6" plate. The new hernia, was centered under the mesh screen right in my navel, telling me it broke through the mesh screen. It was physically impossible to "slip around" a 6" wide mesh screen, to appear directly centered in my navel. I question, if he shielded the fact the screen… broke and due to it being performed prior in the same hospital by his fellow colleague years prior. Secondly in talking about the type of repair I was going to have, he was sincere and adamant when he told me "It will be an open repair. I do not perform laparoscopic surgeries for this". Which I found odd, since in choosing him initially, part of the reason why is he specialized in non-invasive surgery according to his information. He explained that he prefers an open repair so he can physically see his work and area, as opposed to using a camera and viewing the procedure on a monitor during a laparoscopic surgery. I asked him how long the scar will be due to the open repair since that type of surgery leaves a scar and he held up his hand, using his fingers to demonstrate the scars length post op' and he said, "About this long". Post surgery, I found out I had a laparoscopic surgery. In a post op visit, I mentioned what he told me about an "open repair surgery" and him showing me how long my scar will be. He shook his head in disbelief. But my wife witnessed all of it, from his initial consultation and all he said to me as well. He acted like he had no clue what I was talking about. His "bed side manner" seemed guarded. He didn't appear to like to answer questions, almost as if I was "questioning his experience". I had understandable concern since I was confident in knowing my prior surgery's mesh screen ruptured. I asked a question and without realizing it, asked it again but just framed it differently. He got stern and replied, "I believe I already answered that question". Not very friendly or appropriate in my view. His staff was nice, but my wife and I got a cold and stand-offish feeling coming from him. Neither one of us liked what I was initially told compared to the conflicting results post op and his demeanor. Hopefully, I will not need a surgical intervention of this type again but if I do, I will seek a different surgeon.

I had a hernia repair with Dr. Cline in 2016, and now it has re-occurred. It was suppose to be less than a 3% chance. This one was on my right side. I had a repair on my left side that was done in 1992 and is still good. I am disappointed at best that I need surgery again.

I was referred to Dr. Cline from the ER at Duke Raleigh. I had to have my gallbladder removed. Meeting him for the first time, he was polite and caring. My surgery was the next day after meeting him and his staff. The surgery went very well. He communicated with my son by phone about the procedure. The next day there was a follow up call by his staff to check on me and answer any questions. Would highly recommend him.

My primary Physician referred me to Dr. Line. The entire process from beginning to end were handled so professionaly and free of pain. I will be recommending him to friends and family.

My PCP referred me to Dr. Cline for a simple lipoma removal that would have taken 10-15 minutes tops with a local anesthetic. I was having a lot of discomfort in my groin, inner thigh, tailbone, hip, and down my right leg while in seated positions for long periods of time. I had the same procedure approx 12 years ago right in my former PCP's office. Once the lipoma was removed my former PCP informed me that the lipoma was sitting on a nerve which was causing increased discomfort. She also told me that there was a possibility that it may come back. I was undressed from the waist down covered with a modest paper sheet. Dr, Cline and the nurse entered the room like 2 wrestlers in a tag team match and pulled the paper cover back like it was nothing. After a "wham-bam" Speedy Gonzales style exam Dr. Cline told me that the lipoma was not causing my pain and that it was my back. When I told him what my previous PCP said about the lipoma sitting on a nerve he told me there were no nerves in… that area. You would think that he would want to consult with my other doctor or request my medical records to review the procedure note but he did not. He simply told me to take care of "the real problem" and come back another time for the lipoma. He then commented "I don't do backs". I told him I still wanted the lipoma removed and he told me he didn't have time and he was running late and that I'd have to make another appointment...This is after he got his specialty copay of course. You think I'm going to give this guy more of my business??? I don't think so...No wonder surgeons wear masks...because they are a bunch of crooks! Then he made a comment on a scar I have from a previous abdominal surgery. I was embarrased and downright angry because I had wasted $40 and 1/2 a day of work for absolutely NOTHING. Take my advice...Do not go to this guy! Ask your friends, neighbors, or relatives who they would recommend. That is the safest way to find a descent doctor...AND do your research...read md reviews!

Dr Cline has no follow up plan, there receptionist are very bad, and he didn't fix my problem