During a robotic hernia, your surgeon sits at a console and maneuvers the surgical instruments through small incisions. This is an alternative to traditional open surgery and laparoscopic hernia repair.
Patients undergoing robotic hernia surgery generally experience shorter hospital stays and improved outcomes. However, long-term data is still needed to compare this technique to other hernia repair methods. Click Here to learn more.
Hernia surgery used to mean a long, painful recovery, but that’s no longer the case. Thanks to advances in robotics, surgeons can now perform hernia repair through tiny incisions. This results in less overall tissue damage, less pain for patients, and a much faster recovery—often within days.
While traditional open hernia surgery is effective and reliable, it often comes with a longer recovery period and a higher risk of complications and recurrence than laparoscopic surgery. Robotic hernia surgery is a more precise option than traditional hernia repair because it allows for a greater range of movement and better visualization.
In addition to offering minimally invasive surgical techniques, hernia repair through robotics also offers better long-term outcomes because of improved mesh placement. The mesh acts as a flexible scaffold, supporting the weakened tissue and preventing future hernias from developing. Hernia repairs through robotics are performed by trained surgeons with extensive experience in hernia surgery, who carefully follow a proven surgical technique to ensure the best possible results.
During the procedure, your surgeon sits at a console that controls the robotic arm. Using 3D images of the surgical site, they maneuver the robotic arm and tools to repair your hernia. The minimally invasive approach also helps with the healing process because it leads to smaller scars and less pain than traditional surgery.
After the procedure, you’ll be transferred to a recovery area to allow your body to recover from the effects of anesthesia. A nurse will monitor your vital signs and symptoms while you’re in recovery, which typically lasts one to two days. During this time, you can expect to experience some discomfort or pain in the area where your hernia was repaired. You’ll be encouraged to move around and exercise to help prevent blood clots and promote a speedy recovery.
As with all surgeries, robotic hernia surgery has its risks. While complications are rare, there is a risk of infection, bleeding and reactions to anesthesia. It’s important to talk with your doctor about your personal preferences, medical history and lifestyle to make the decision that’s best for you.
Less Pain
Robotic hernia surgery is performed under general anesthesia, but most patients are able to go home the same day of their procedure. After surgery, patients should rest and follow post-surgical instructions to prevent complications like infections or hernia recurrence.
During robotic hernia repair, surgeons sit at a console and operate the robot’s arms, which are fitted with surgical instruments, through small incisions in the abdomen. The da Vinci system offers a magnified 3D high-definition view of the surgical site to guide surgeons’ movements, and its robotic hands mimic the surgeon’s hand motions, reducing the risk of human error and resulting in improved precision and dexterity.
The minimally invasive approach also results in less pain and faster recovery than traditional open hernia repair. The smaller incisions minimize blood loss and tissue damage, and reduce the need for pain medications. Patients experience fewer side effects such as abdominal swelling, tenderness or constipation after hernia surgery, and can return to work and other activities sooner.
While robotic hernia surgery is a great option for many of our patients, we are always careful to make sure the procedure is the best fit. Dr. Khosravi will discuss all treatment options with each patient and recommend the method that is safest and most effective long-term.
In hernia surgery, mesh is often used to provide additional support in the area where the hernia protrudes through a weakness in the muscle wall. This helps prevent future hernias, as the body’s tissue grows into and incorporates the mesh into the wall to reinforce it. In studies of robotic hernia repair, researchers have found that using the mesh significantly reduces recurrence rates compared to tacks or sutures alone.
Although hernia surgery is a very safe procedure when performed in qualified hands, all surgical procedures carry some risks, including bleeding, infection and reactions to anesthesia. The risks of robotic hernia surgery are generally very low, however, and most patients find that the benefits far outweigh the concerns.
Less Recovery Time
Millions of Americans suffer from hernias, bulges or protrusions in their muscles and abdominal walls that can lead to pain and discomfort. While traditional surgical methods are effective and reliable, they often come with a long recovery period and increase the risk of complications. In contrast, robotic hernia surgery is less invasive and typically leads to faster recovery times with fewer risks.
During a robotic hernia repair procedure, your surgeon sits at a console where he or she can view the surgical site through a high-resolution 3D camera. The surgeon then maneuvers the robotic arms of the robot from the console using master controls that function similar to forceps. The robotic arms respond to these commands and close the hernia by placing mesh in the area of weakness or protrusion in the muscle wall.
The smaller instruments used in robotic hernia repairs require fewer incisions, which reduces tissue damage and blood loss during the operation. The dual cameras also provide a clearer view of the surgical site for better precision and control.
This means your surgeon can place the mesh more accurately, which can help prevent hernia recurrence. In addition, a surgeon can more easily see the space in which they are inserting the mesh and can avoid any irritation to surrounding organs.
After a robotic hernia repair, your doctor will instruct you to rest and promote healing by avoiding strenuous activity until your wounds are completely healed. While the majority of patients are able to return home after their procedure, the length of your stay in the hospital will depend on the complexity and type of hernia being repaired.
Some patients may have difficulty urinating after hernia surgery, especially those with prostate enlargement. In such cases, it is important to seek medical attention and use a catheter to drain your bladder as needed.
While robotic hernia repair is safe for many patients, it’s not right for everyone. Patients with certain types of hernias or other medical conditions should not undergo robotic surgery, as the procedure could worsen the hernia or cause an adverse reaction to the medication. For this reason, hernia repair should be a joint decision between the patient and his or her doctor.
Less Risk of Recurrence
In comparison to traditional open hernia surgery, which requires a larger incision in the abdomen to directly access and repair the hernia site, robotic hernia is a much less invasive procedure. Patients often have a shorter hospital stay, faster recovery time and experience less pain with this alternative. The risk of hernia recurrence is lower with this option, as well.
Robotic hernia surgery uses a new technology called da Vinci, which allows surgeons to control the surgical instruments through a console in the operating room. The surgeon can also see three-dimensional images of the inside of the body, which helps with precise dissection and suturing. This results in a smaller risk of complications, including bleeding and damage to surrounding tissues, than conventional hernia surgery.
However, as with any surgical procedure, robotic hernia surgery does come with certain risks. These include complications from the hernia repair itself and complications associated with the robotic system itself, though these are rare. It is important for patients to work with a surgeon who is experienced with the procedure and has a track record of success.
In addition, patients should prepare for hernia surgery by adjusting their medications before the procedure and following post-surgical instructions. Some medications may need to be temporarily stopped or have their dosage modified before hernia surgery, which can help reduce the likelihood of excessive bleeding and other surgical complications. Taking steps to be as healthy as possible, including eating a diet high in fiber and staying hydrated, can also help ensure a successful surgery and a quick recovery.
While robotic hernia surgery is an excellent alternative to more invasive procedures, it is not the right choice for every patient. Traditional open hernia surgery still offers superior long-term outcomes and is an appropriate option for some patients, especially those with previous surgeries or other medical illnesses. Ultimately, it is the surgeon’s job to decide what is best for each patient on a case-by-case basis.