Your surgeon will sit at a console and use the da Vinci System’s handheld controls to operate through small incisions, each less than an inch. The robot’s arms respond to your surgeon’s movements, bending and rotating the instruments to perform hernia repair.
Previous studies have shown that robotic hernia surgery is more costly and requires a longer operative time than traditional laparoscopic techniques. This may be due to the cost of the surgical robot, annual maintenance, and per-case utilization costs. Contact Robotic Hernia Surgery now!
A hernia occurs when a piece of your intestine or fat pushes out through a weak area in the muscles of your abdomen. This creates a bulge or protrusion that may or may not cause symptoms. Sometimes, a hernia flattens when you lie down or put pressure on it. This is called a reducible hernia and does not need surgery. If you can’t easily push the hernia back in, or it causes pain or a cough, you should get it repaired by your doctor.
You can develop hernias in any part of your body, but they are more common in the abdomen and groin. Heavy work, pregnancy, and certain medical conditions can lead to hernias or make you more likely to have them. Most hernias are small and don’t need to be treated right away, but they may grow larger over time. They also don’t heal on their own, and they can become dangerous if they aren’t repaired.
Your healthcare professional will test for a hernia by having you drink a liquid that makes your digestive tract show up on X-rays (diatrizoate meglumine/diatrizoate sodium or barium). Or, they may use an endoscope (a thin tube with a camera attached) to view your stomach and esophagus. A doctor can also tell if you have a hernia by feeling your abdomen.
Symptoms of hernias can include a lump that appears and gets bigger when you lie down, a cough from pushing on the hernia, or pain in your abdomen or groin. If the hernia becomes trapped or can’t be pushed back in, it is a serious emergency. This is because the hernia can cut off blood flow and die. This is called strangulation and requires immediate attention.
Your doctor will probably suggest surgery to repair your hernia, even if it is small and doesn’t cause any symptoms. They will try to do the surgery using minimally invasive techniques, such as laparoscopic hernia repair. For this, they will make a small hole in your skin and insert a long, thin tube with a camera on the end and other surgical tools through another hole. Or, they may use robotic hernia repair.
How is Robotic Hernia Surgery performed?
In Robotic Hernia Surgery, your surgeon will use a console that controls robotic arms which can perform the surgery through small incisions on an outpatient basis. This means you will go home on the same day of the surgery. During the surgery, you may be given anaesthetic to ensure that you will not feel any pain.
The hernia surgery will be performed with a camera that provides a high definition, 3D magnified view of your abdomen, and the surgical team can put back any protruding tissue into its correct position. They will then cover the area with a mesh to prevent it reoccurring. This is similar to the way that hernia repair is done in laparoscopic minimally invasive surgery.
However, the difference is that the robotic hernia surgery is more accurate because the robotic arms can move in a more flexible way than human hands. It can also be more precise because it uses the dual cameras to provide a real-time, high-definition view of your abdomen. Its wristed robotic arms have a greater range of motion than the human hand and are more flexible, which helps reduce injury to your tissues and blood loss complications after hernia surgery.
Because the robotic arms have a more flexible range of movement than human hands, it is easier to place the mesh, which means you should experience less pain after your hernia surgery and return to normal activities more quickly. In addition, the robot can help to avoid the common problem of incision site hernias (when the hernia returns through the scar from the previous operation) by allowing the doctor to place the mesh within the abdominal wall muscles without cutting or creating an open wound.
Some patients with large hernias have to be treated with open surgery. This involves a larger incision and more recovery time because the muscles of the abdominal wall must be moved to access the hernia. However, some patients with severe heart problems and a lot of scar tissue from previous abdominal surgeries can only have open surgery and are not candidates for minimally invasive hernia surgery.
How long does Robotic Hernia Surgery take?
During hernia surgery, your surgeon will make either a single large cut (open surgery) or several small cuts (laparoscopy). With robotic-assisted hernia surgery, your surgeon makes only three to four small incisions, about one inch long each. They insert a camera through one of the incisions to see inside your abdomen. Then they pass different instruments through the other incisions to repair your hernia. Your surgeon controls the robotic arms and instruments from a console next to you. This gives them a greater range of motion than with laparoscopic surgery and allows them to better repair complex hernias.
A robot-assisted hernia procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia. You are placed on the operating table and the surgeon is seated at a console to view a magnified, high-resolution 3D image of the surgical area. The surgeon then passes miniaturized endoscopic instruments through the incisions to perform the hernia repair. Your surgeon uses master controls that function like forceps, and the robotic arms respond by immediately translating your surgeon’s commands into precise movements of the surgical instruments.
The herniated tissue is pushed back into the abdominal wall and the surgeon stitches it together with special mesh. The mesh prevents the hernia from returning and helps your body rebuild strength in the area.
Your doctor may also find and repair an occult hernia during the surgery. These hernias don’t show up on exams or ultrasounds, but your surgeon can detect them during a robotic inguinal hernia repair. They occur in about 16% of hernia repairs.
If you are having a complex hernia surgery, your surgeon will likely ask you to stay in the hospital overnight for observation. You will wake up in a recovery room feeling groggy from the anesthesia. You may notice pain, swelling and bruising at the incision sites. The pain is typically controlled with NSAIDs.
Unlike traditional open hernia repair, the robotic technique reduces surgery time and offers less postoperative pain. The wristed instrumentation on the robot allows your surgeon to perform dissection with precision and control, even in the difficult to reach areas of the abdominal wall where hernias commonly occur.
What are the risks of Robotic Hernia Surgery?
For most hernias, the underlying problem is a weakness in the fascia or muscle tissue that typically holds an organ or piece of fatty tissue inside of the abdomen. When this material pushes through the weakened area, it creates a bulge called a hernia. Hernias are often painful and can result in a heaviness or discomfort in the groin area, but the condition can be treated with medication, lifestyle changes and surgery.
Robotic Hernia Surgery is less invasive than traditional hernia repair techniques. However, it’s important to talk with your surgeon about the specifics of your hernia, as there are different types of hernias that require different surgical approaches. The type of hernia surgery you receive is also determined by your insurance coverage and personal preference.
During robotic hernia surgery, a small incision is made and the tools used to conduct the procedure are inserted into your body through this opening. The surgeon then uses a console away from the patient to control the robot and the camera during the hernia repair. The surgeon has more flexibility when operating using the robot, as it allows them to reach areas of your abdomen they might have trouble reaching through a laparoscopic incision.
Although infection rates are lower with robotic hernia surgery, it is still possible to get an infection after surgery. Your doctor will provide you with antibiotics to help prevent infections from occurring. You may experience some pain after surgery, but it is typically minimal and can be managed with NSAIDs. You should try to walk around as soon as you feel well enough after waking up, as this will encourage blood flow to the surgical site and speed recovery.
While some people believe that robotic hernia surgery is safer than traditional laparoscopic hernia repairs, it is difficult to make this claim without reliable comparative data on outcomes followed for a year. In addition, the use of the robot can cost more for a hospital to purchase and maintain, and it is a surgical technique that requires specialized training to master. It is best to have a conversation with your surgeon about the pros and cons of robotic hernia repair before making your final decision.