As with any surgery, complications can occur during hernia repair. However, robotic hernia surgery is safer and less invasive in qualified hands than traditional open surgery.
After your operation, you may notice some soreness or bruising at the site of the incisions. This is normal and can be helped with NSAIDs. Click here to Learn More.
A hernia occurs when an organ or piece of fatty tissue protrudes through a weak area in the muscle or connective tissues that support the abdominal wall. Hernias are usually painless but may cause a feeling of pressure or heaviness in the abdomen. If the hernia becomes enlarged, it may lead to abdominal pain and swelling. Most people with a hernia have an inguinal hernia, the most common type of hernia.
Traditional hernia surgery involves making a large incision in the abdomen to access the hernia site. A laparoscopic procedure uses small incisions that allow surgeons to use a camera and instruments to operate. The robotic hernia surgery technique combines the advantages of both of these surgical options. It is less invasive than traditional open surgery, with the added benefit of less pain and a faster recovery.
Cayuga Medical Center uses the da Vinci surgical system to offer robotic hernia repair to patients. This surgical option offers a 3D high-definition magnified view of the surgical site and allows for more precise movements with the instruments compared to laparoscopic surgery without a robot. In fact, many patients report that their recovery from a hernia repair surgery performed with the robot was much easier and less painful than they expected.
Despite its success, robotic hernia surgery is still relatively new. Therefore, it is important to talk to your doctor about your expectations and the hernia surgery process. The doctor will be able to advise you on whether robotic hernia surgery is the right choice for you.
There are a number of factors that determine whether robotic hernia surgery is the best option for you, including your health history and other medical conditions. In addition, the surgeon must be trained to perform the procedure. A qualified hernia specialist who is certified by a national organization is the only way to ensure that you will receive safe and effective treatment.
Less Bleeding
During robotic hernia surgery, surgeons use a small camera to see the area inside your abdomen. The camera sends a video to a computer that helps the surgeon plan and execute the operation. This reduces the chance of complications during hernia repair. It also helps surgeons avoid the risk of injury to other important structures. Robotic hernia surgery allows for more precise movements, which can lead to fewer incisions and less post-surgical pain and swelling.
This procedure can be performed in about 30 minutes or less. It can take longer for more complex hernia repairs, depending on how much tissue is needed to be repaired and how many hernias are being treated.
The surgical process is minimally invasive, but you will still experience some discomfort and swelling. Your surgeon will provide you with pain and anti-inflammatory medications to help manage your recovery. It is important to listen to your body and rest when you are tired, to promote healing and prevent post-surgical complications.
Studies have found that patients undergoing robotic hernia surgery have significantly less pain, fewer complications, and shorter hospital stays than those undergoing laparoscopic hernia repair. In addition, robotic hernia surgery can offer surgeons a more effective approach to the challenging task of hernia repair.
As a result, more hernias are being successfully repaired and patient outcomes are improving. Robotic hernia surgery has the potential to transform hernia surgery in much the same way that it has revolutionised other surgical specialties.
The da Vinci® Surgical System is designed with ergonomics in mind, providing surgeons with enhanced dexterity and superior visualization. The dual cameras give a 3D view, which is an improvement over the 2D images that are typically used during traditional laparoscopic surgeries. The wristed robotic instruments make it easier for surgeons to maneuver in difficult-to-reach areas of the abdomen. As a pianist, I often compare using the console to playing the piano—it feels instinctive.
During the pre-operative period, your physician will conduct several tests and examinations to ensure that you are healthy enough for surgery. These include blood tests, an ECG, chest x-rays, and possibly a consultation with the anesthesiologist for a thorough evaluation of your health status. These evaluations will allow your physician to identify and treat any medical conditions that could increase your risks during surgery, as well as determine whether or not you are a candidate for robotic hernia repair.
Faster Recovery
Robotic hernia surgery is less invasive than traditional or laparoscopic surgery, and that can speed up recovery. Most patients will be able to go home the same day of their procedure. That is much faster than a two-night stay for other types of hernia repair surgery, and it can be good for patients who have other medical conditions or work that requires them to be away from their job.
Patients will wake up in a recovery room following their hernia surgery, and they may notice some pain and swelling. This is normal and can be helped with medications that prevent pain. They will likely need a few days to recover from the effects of the anesthesia, and they should try to rest as much as possible to promote healing.
The doctor can use the robot to view a three-dimensional image of the hernia site, which is more detailed and clearer than the two-dimensional view from a laparoscope. This can help the surgeon better understand what’s going on inside of the body, and it can lead to more precise movements during surgery. The doctor can also make fewer cuts, which can reduce the risk of complications and speed up recovery.
After hernia surgery, the doctor will tell patients to avoid heavy lifting and other strenuous activities until they’re healed. They should eat nutritious, high-fiber foods to encourage healthy bowel movement and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. They should also take care to wear loose clothing and stay seated when moving around, to avoid straining the incision site.
The recovery time after hernia surgery will vary based on the doctor and the complexity of the surgery. Patients should follow their doctor’s recommendations for recovery, and they should attend all follow-up appointments to ensure that the hernia is healing properly.
There’s a chance that hernias will recur after surgery. However, if hernias are treated early and if the patient isn’t obese or has a weakness in their abdominal wall, they’re less likely to return. To lower the risk of hernia recurrence, patients should avoid smoking, maintain a healthy weight and stay physically active, and they should visit their doctor for regular checkups.
Fewer Complications
Using robotic hernia surgery, patients experience fewer complications compared to traditional open hernia repair. This is due to the surgical approach being less invasive. Open hernia surgery requires large incisions and can increase the risk of complications. It can also result in a long recovery period, longer hospital stay and more hernia recurrences than other hernia repair methods.
Robotic hernia surgery allows surgeons to have a better view of the hernia area. This allows surgeons to use a hernia mesh which helps strengthen the weak muscles around the hernia area. In addition, the use of a hernia mesh can prevent the hernia from occurring in the future by preventing the bulging tissue from protruding through the weakened muscle.
To perform robotic hernia surgery, a surgeon sits at a console and controls miniaturized endoscopic instruments through tiny incisions. The surgeon can see a magnified, high-resolution 3D image of the surgical area through a camera that is attached to the robot system. The surgeon can then move the robotic instruments with precision and control.
During robotic hernia surgery, a hernia is fixed by placing a strong, synthetic hernia mesh through an abdominal wall incision. The hernia is then pushed back into the abdomen, helping strengthen the abdominal wall. The surgeon can place a mesh through a 12 mm port at the belly button and two 8 mm ports on each side of the lower abdomen. Because the robotic arms are wristed, they can easily dissect through the abdominal wall and can place the mesh without causing damage to nearby tissues.
In very rare cases, a patient may have trouble urinating following robotic hernia surgery. If this occurs, the surgeon can insert a catheter to help decompress the bladder.
Although robotic hernia surgery is becoming more common, it should be used on a case-by-case basis to determine if it’s the best option for each patient. It’s important to discuss the risks and benefits of robotic hernia surgery with a physician before deciding on a procedure for yourself or a loved one. Patients should avoid heavy lifting or any activity that puts stress on the stomach after hernia surgery.