A hernia occurs when tissue bulges through a weak abdominal wall area. It can be painful and cause discomfort.

Robotic Hernia Surgery uses a console to control several robotic arms. It is more precise than laparoscopic surgery.

Studies analyzing outcomes from robotic ventral hernia repair compared with laparoscopic techniques have found fewer surgical site infections and shorter postoperative lengths of stay.

Minimally Invasive

The surgical field is always advancing with new technologies, and robotic hernia surgery is no exception. Robotic hernia repair is a minimally invasive alternative to traditional open or laparoscopic hernia repair. During the procedure, your surgeon sits at a console and views a magnified, high-resolution 3D image of the area to be operated on. The surgeon then inserts miniaturized endoscopic instruments through small incisions around the site of the hernia. These instruments help your surgeon repair the hernia with stitches and mesh, reducing the risk of the hernia returning.

This minimally invasive procedure has many benefits, including reduced hospital stay, less pain, faster recovery, and lower risks of complications. However, as with all surgeries, there are still risks of infection, bleeding, and damage to nearby organs or tissue. If you have any concerns about the procedure, talk to your doctor before deciding to have it done.

A hernia is an area of weakened muscle or fatty tissue that protrudes through a hole in the wall of the abdomen. It can occur in any place in the body but is most common in the abdominal wall, where it may cause pain, aching, or heaviness. A hernia can be asymptomatic, but if it causes symptoms, you should see a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment options.

During robotic hernia surgery, your surgeon will place a 12 mm port in the belly button and two 8 mm ports on each side of the abdomen for hernia repair. Using the master controls, your surgeon is able to view the surgical site and perform hernia repair with the robotic arms which have wristed movement for greater flexibility. The bulging hernia tissue is pushed back into the abdominal wall, and the abdominal walls are strengthened with mesh for strength support.

Robotic hernia surgery offers the advantages of laparoscopic hernia repair with its low rates of SSI and less pain, and also provides the dexterity and ergonomics of open hernia repair. Studies comparing robotic hernia repair to laparoscopic and open hernia repairs indicate promising outcomes, but long-term data is needed to demonstrate superiority.

Faster Recovery

Using robotic assistance, surgeons are able to perform hernia repair procedures that previously could not be done laparoscopically. The ability to intracorporeally suture a large piece of mesh that adequately and evenly covers the defect, as well as the high-quality three-dimensional view and precise instruments make hernia repairs easier for both surgeons and patients.

In addition to allowing surgeons to work more easily, robotic hernia repair results in quicker recovery times for patients. Most surgical patients are able to return home the same day as their procedure, and are typically back to their regular activities in just a few weeks.

Robotic hernia surgery is also used to treat a variety of other conditions, including hiatal hernia repair (when part of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm into the chest, causing a swollen area called a hernia), and Nissen fundoplication (used to prevent acid from backing up into the esophagus, which can cause heartburn and abdominal pain). In these cases, doctors can utilize robotic technology to make smaller incisions, reduce tissue damage, and promote faster healing.

One study comparing the results of robotic versus open inguinal hernia repair found that while the robotic approach took longer to complete, it resulted in fewer hospital readmissions and other complications. In addition, the robotic technique allowed for fascial closure in 96.2% of the hernia defects, whereas the laparoscopic approach only achieved this in 50.5% of the cases studied.

Another important advantage of robotic hernia surgery is that the surgeon works from a console that is located near the patient, rather than in a large operating room. The surgeon uses a monitor to watch the operative field, and controls several robotic arms from the console that replicate his or her movements. This can allow for less post-surgical pain and a quicker recovery, as the surgeon feels more in control of the procedure.

As with any type of surgery, you may experience some discomfort in the operated area after your hernia repair. However, most hernia patients find that over-the-counter pain medication is sufficient to manage any discomfort. It is important to refrain from strenuous activity for the first few days, and gradually increase your activity level as you heal.

Less Pain

The smaller incisions made by the robotic system lead to less post-surgical pain. This means that patients are able to control their pain medication needs and are able to recover faster.

A hernia is a defect or weakness in the peritoneum, a band of muscle tissue that holds your abdominal organs inside your body. There are a few different types of hernias. These include femoral hernias, hiatal hernias, umbilical hernias and incisional hernias. The hernias are caused by the protrusion of an organ or collection of fatty tissue into the abdominal cavity through weakened muscles. The hernias can cause painful aches and can be quite large. If you have a hernia, it’s important to get it repaired to avoid complications such as obesity and hernia recurrence.

In both laparoscopic hernia surgery and robot-assisted hernia repair, your surgeon will place a camera through a small incision in the abdomen. The camera provides a magnified view of the surgical site. In hernia robot-assisted surgery, your surgeon sits at a console and maneuvers the robotic instruments with master controls that function like forceps. These precise movements result in minimal damage to surrounding tissues and decreased risk of hernia recurrence.

After hernia robot-assisted repair, your doctor will insert a mesh into the area of the hernia to prevent it from reoccurring. This mesh acts as a scaffold that your own body’s tissue will grow into and incorporate into the area, providing long-term strength to the weakened muscle.

While hernia robotic surgery offers several advantages, it’s not right for everyone. It is important to have a conversation with your physician to determine which hernia repair technique is the best choice for you and your specific hernia.

There are a few risks associated with hernia robotic surgery, including the potential for technical malfunctions or injury to surrounding tissue. However, if your surgeon has extensive experience with the robot, these risks are very low. You also face the same risks of any surgical procedure, such as infection and bleeding. To reduce your risk of complications, talk with your doctor before surgery and follow all pre- and post-surgical instructions.

Fewer Complications

With robotic hernia surgery, less damage is caused to the surrounding tissue, which reduces postoperative complications and the need for additional repairs. The surgeon can also use a superior grade of mesh, which gives hernias better support and reduces the risk of recurrence.

Robotic hernia surgery can be used for a variety of procedures, including laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair and Heller myotomy (a surgical procedure that cuts the lower esophageal sphincter to allow food and liquids to pass through more easily). However, robotic hernia repair is not recommended for all patients. Some hernias are more likely to return, especially in smokers and those who have other medical conditions that interfere with wound healing.

The vast majority of hernias can be successfully repaired using robotic techniques. In just two to three percent of patients, hernias recur. This is often due to inadequate time for the hernia to heal or is related to underlying health issues, such as smoking and obesity, which are associated with increased risks of hernia recurrence.

During the surgery, the surgeon uses a console to guide robotic arms with instruments at the site. The surgeon’s movements are immediately translated into precise movements of the robotic arms, giving the surgeon greater range of motion and allowing him to navigate more precisely than with traditional or laparoscopic techniques.

A robotic hernia operation is usually performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. Some patients may require blood tests or imaging prior to the procedure, and they will need to arrange for someone to drive them home afterward because they will be groggy.

The surgery requires a small number of incisions, and the recovery is similar to other minimally invasive hernia repairs. Typically, hernia patients will be instructed to walk as soon as possible to speed up their recovery and help reduce pain. They will receive discharge instructions that include things to watch out for, such as signs of infection, and they should heed these warnings. In addition, the surgeon will give them a timeline for when they can begin more strenuous activity.