During robotic hernia surgery, your surgeon sits at a console and operates using tiny instruments through small incisions. The robot immediately translates your surgeon’s hand movements into precise movements of the surgical instruments.
This technology has enabled hernia repairs that would have been much more invasive without the robot. Studies have shown that hernia repair with the robotic system results in less pain, fewer complications, and shorter hospital stays. Click here to Learn More.
- Minimally Invasive
A hernia is a protrusion of organ or fatty tissue through a weakened area in the muscle of your abdominal wall. It can cause pain, discomfort or a lump in the belly or groin. It is important to consider surgery if your hernia becomes painful or enlarged because it can lead to complications including infection, blood clots and heart problems.
Traditional hernia surgery involves putting in a mesh patch through an incision in the abdomen. This patch strengthens the weak area and reduces your risk of a hernia recurring. However, some people have a hernia that doesn’t respond to medication and require more invasive surgery. Robotic hernia surgery is minimally invasive and provides the surgeon with better visualization and instrumentation than traditional laparoscopic hernia repair.
The surgeon operates through four small incisions with robotic arms, rather than inserting a long tube with instruments through a larger incision. This gives the surgeon more precise control and a greater range of motion. Using the robotic device also allows the surgeon to make smaller, less visible scars after surgery.
Although surgical complications are rare, there is always a risk of infection, bleeding and injury to nearby organs or tissues during hernia surgery. You can reduce your risk of complications by following the preoperative instructions from Dr. Khosravi and avoiding smoking, heavy lifting, and consuming alcohol or other medications that can interfere with your recovery.
Most hernia surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis and you can go home the same day. You will probably feel sore for a few days after your procedure, but over-the-counter pain relievers should manage most of the discomfort. After a few weeks, you should be able to return to your normal activities as long as you avoid intense core exercises and heavy lifting.
- Faster Recovery
The robotic surgery system allows for a more precise and quicker procedure because it improves upon the already-proven laparoscopic technique. This means that your hernia can be fixed faster and with less pain than other types of surgery.
During the operation, your surgeon sits at a console and views a high-definition 3D image of the surgical site. Then, through a series of small incisions, your surgeon inserts robotic arms that operate like forceps to perform the hernia repair. The master controls at the surgeon’s console translate the surgeon’s commands into precise movements of the robotic tools. Unlike laparoscopy, which uses narrow tools that can’t rotate the way a human wrist can, the robotic system gives your surgeon much more flexibility for delicate tissue dissection and suturing.
Hernia patients with robotic hernia repair recover more quickly than those who have traditional hernia repair surgery, and need fewer narcotics to manage their pain. In fact, they can often go home on the same day of surgery and may need only a week or so of recovery before returning to work.
This is because hernia surgery is less invasive, meaning the tissues heal more quickly, and there are fewer risks for complications like inflammation or infection. The smaller incisions also mean that patients experience less pain after the surgery, so they need less narcotics to control their discomfort during the recovery process.
Robotic hernia repair surgery is a safe and effective treatment option, but there are always some risks involved in any kind of medical procedure. You can talk with your doctor to learn more about how hernia repair surgery could benefit you, and discuss any other questions or concerns that you might have.
- Less Pain
For patients who have experienced painful hernia protrusions in their groin or abdomen, robotic hernia surgery is a way to relieve that pain and restore normal function. It’s a minimally-invasive option that has helped many people return to work and other activities more quickly.
With this surgical technique, hernias can be corrected using a special piece of flexible mesh that reduces the risk of recurrence. During the procedure, surgeons create several tiny incisions in your stomach or groin, then place the surgical equipment through these openings. The robot translates the surgeon’s commands into precise movements of the robotic arms, which then allow the doctor to repair the muscle wall through which the hernia protrudes.
The robot’s arms are much more maneuverable than traditional laparoscopic tools, allowing doctors to get closer to the hernia and repair it more precisely. The technology also provides doctors with a magnified, high-definition 3D view of the hernia site. This allows the surgeon to better assess hernia recurrence, which may lead to fewer future hernia complications for patients.
The surgeon reaches the hernia site through a small opening and then inserts additional incisions for the robotic instruments. Once the surgeon is able to view the hernia through the cameras, they can use the robotic system’s master controls to perform the hernia repair. This can be accomplished using a combination of different techniques, including robotic retro-muscular hernia repair (r-RMHR) with transversus abdominis release (TAR), robotic-assisted transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair (r-TAPP), and enhanced-view totally extraperitoneal hernia repair (eTEP).
Patients who undergo robotic hernia surgery typically recover faster than those who have traditional surgery. However, everyone’s recovery is unique and can be shaped by a variety of factors. Your doctor can recommend specific restrictions to promote healing and prevent complications, such as avoiding strenuous activity or lifting heavy objects.
- Less Bleeding
As with any surgery, there will be some bleeding. However, robotic hernia surgery reduces the amount of bleeding during and after surgery. This can help minimize complications such as blood clots and decrease the need for pain medications.
During a robotic hernia procedure, surgeons use a console that offers a magnified 3D view of the surgical area. This allows surgeons to perform complex procedures with extreme precision. It also helps surgeons avoid fatigue during lengthy surgeries. The console is designed to feel like a natural extension of the surgeon’s hand and arm movements. Many surgeons compare it to playing the piano.
The minimally invasive nature of robotic hernia surgery means less damage to the surrounding tissue, which leads to fewer scars. Robotic hernia surgery also has a lower risk of infection and requires a shorter recovery time, which may mean you can return to routine activities sooner.
While robotic hernia repair is a safe and effective option for many patients, it’s important to talk to your doctor about whether this procedure is right for you. Some people may require general anesthesia for this type of hernia surgery, while others may not be able to undergo this type of procedure due to medical or health conditions.
If you are a candidate for robotic hernia surgery, you should look for an experienced surgeon who has extensive experience with this type of procedure. It’s also important to follow your doctor’s instructions after the surgery, including following any physical restrictions. This will help ensure a fast and full recovery. For example, it’s important to take it easy for a few days to promote healing and prevent complications. You should also avoid lifting heavy objects or engaging in strenuous exercise unless your doctor approves it.
- Less Scarring
Because the incisions are smaller and less muscle tissue is removed during surgery, there are typically fewer scars from Robotic Hernia Surgery. Patients are also able to return to their normal routines quicker than they might with traditional open surgeries that require more invasive incisions.
Before robotic hernia surgery, surgeons will review the patient’s medical history to ensure that they are a good candidate for the procedure. This will include a complete physical exam and any pre-operative testing that may be required, like blood tests, an ECG, or chest x-rays. Patients should also discuss any current medications with their doctor to see if they need to temporarily change the dosage or stop taking them before hernia surgery. This will help reduce the risk of bleeding during surgery and increase the chances that their medication regimen is working properly after the procedure.
The robotic incisions used during surgery are very small and will not leave a noticeable mark, though there may be some bruising and swelling at the surgical site. It is important to follow your doctor’s instructions after surgery and take NSAIDs to help manage pain. It is also a good idea to eat a healthy diet and get plenty of rest to promote healing.
Although robotic hernia surgery is a less invasive option than traditional surgery, it is still a serious operation. Before you decide on this type of hernia repair, talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of the different types of hernia repair to make sure it is the best option for you. They can also recommend a surgeon who is experienced with the robotic technology and has performed many of these procedures.