Hernias occur when an organ pushes through a weak spot in your muscle or tissue wall. You can have hernias in places like your groin (inguinal hernia), belly button (umbilicus) or where a previous surgery scar has left a hole (incisional hernia).

Hernias don’t go away on their own, so doctors recommend hernia repair surgery. We offer robotic hernia surgery to treat hernias and reduce pain and recovery time.

A hernia is a protrusion of tissue or an organ through a weakness in the muscles of the abdominal wall. It is a condition that requires surgical intervention as it does not improve on its own over time and the bulge may restrict blood flow to the intestines trapped inside, leading to serious complications including bowel obstruction and even life-threatening strangulation. Until recently, hernia repairs required open surgery to repair the affected area, but new techniques are less invasive. Robotic hernia surgery is a minimally invasive technique that uses robotic technology to repair hernias, resulting in fewer incisions and a faster recovery.

During hernia surgery, a physician makes several small incisions in the abdomen to insert a laparoscope. This device consists of a tube with a camera and light on one end and surgical tools on the other. The surgeon then inserts a robotic device through the same incisions to control the robot’s instruments. This allows the surgeon to perform complex operations with more accuracy and precision than traditional laparoscopic hernia surgery, allowing for smaller incisions, reduced pain, and a shorter recovery period.

The da Vinci System enables a minimally invasive procedure, using just three small incisions. The surgeon sits at a console near the patient and manipulates the robotic tools using hand movements, which are translated by the system to bend and rotate the instruments in real-time. A video monitor shows the surgeon a high-definition, 3D image of the organs and tissues of the abdomen.

This innovative technology allows the doctor to place a mesh in the abdominal wall for support, which can be placed in different ways depending on the hernia type and location. Studies show that the use of this technology reduces operative time and postoperative complications, compared to the traditional open and laparoscopic methods.

There is always a risk that hernias can return, but robotic hernia repair can significantly reduce this risk. Patients can help lower the chance of recurrence by following post-surgical guidelines, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking.

Faster Recovery

After surgery, patients can return to normal activity more quickly than other types of hernia repair surgery. This can help them get back to their lives, and can improve their quality of life. They also report feeling stronger, more confident, and secure in their bodies.

The key to hernia surgery is precision, and robotics brings a new level of precision and control to the operating room. It allows doctors to make smaller incisions, which means less pain for the patient and a faster recovery.

In experienced hands, robotic hernia surgery is very safe. But as with any surgical procedure, there are risks of infection, reactions to anesthesia, and damage to the surrounding tissue or organs.

A hernia occurs when a piece of internal muscle or tissue bulges through an area of weak muscle in the abdomen, typically in the groin. It can be caused by weak muscles, straining to lift heavy objects, or coughing. Aurora BayCare offers robotic hernia surgery to treat this condition using the da Vinci Surgical System, which gives surgeons more precision and better visualization.

The robotic system has two cameras that provide a true 3D view. Surgeons can use the dual cameras to see the damaged tissues and muscles without having to move the patient out of the way. In addition, the robotic system’s instruments are much smaller than those used in traditional laparoscopic hernia surgery. These smaller instruments reduce tissue damage and blood loss, as well as post-surgical pain.

For hernia repair, surgeons can use the robotic system to remove adhesions and close the hole in the abdominal wall. They can also insert a mesh covering to strengthen the abdominal wall. The operation is performed through a small incision in the belly. In many cases, the hernia is repaired in a few hours, and patients can go home soon after surgery.

After robotic hernia surgery, patients should follow their doctor’s instructions about activity restrictions. Most patients can return to a desk job and drive a car several days after surgery, but they should avoid any activities that require sudden use of the abdomen, such as heavy lifting. It is common to feel bloated after surgery, which is a result of the CO2 insufflated during the surgery and a sluggish bowel response from narcotics. Walking and eating high-fiber foods can help expedite bowel function recovery.

Less Tissue Damage

Robotic hernia surgery has been shown to have less tissue damage compared to traditional open and laparoscopic surgery techniques. The surgical robot’s 3-D visualization and wristed instruments provide superior maneuverability that allows the surgeon to better avoid damage to surrounding organs. This is especially important when performing complex ventral hernia repairs that require the use of a mesh patch.

In a recent study, patients undergoing robotic hernia repair were compared to those receiving standard minimally invasive (laparoscopic) hernia repair. The study found that robotic hernia surgery resulted in shorter lengths of stay in the hospital, reduced rates of complications and better recovery times than the standard technique.

During the procedure, a mesh patch is placed over the weakened muscle to reinforce it and prevent future hernias from occurring. This is secured with sutures and over time becomes incorporated into the surrounding tissue. Laparoscopic and robotic hernia surgery are both considered to be safe, but as with all surgeries there is always a risk of complications. These can include infection, reactions to anesthesia, or damage to nearby tissues and organs.

For a typical hernia repair procedure, the patient is placed in a supine position. First, an incision approximately 4 cm directly over the hernia is made. The hernia sack is then mobilized and repositioned inside the abdominal cavity, and the abdominal wall is prepared by using either an Alexis wound retractor (Alexis Laparoscopic System, Applied Medical, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA) or balloon trocars (Kii(r) Balloon, Applied Medical, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., USA).

The hernia mesh is then inserted into the abdominal wall using the robotic tools. The hernia defect is then closed with running sutures (PDS(tm) Plus 2-0, Ethicon GmbH, Norderstedt, Germany), and the rectus fascia is closed with a tack and running suture (STRATAFIX(r) spiral, Ethicon GmbH, Norderstedt, German).

For most hernias, patients are able to return home after only a few days in the hospital. However, it is important to follow your doctor’s instructions regarding activity restriction and pain management after your surgery. Patients should also make sure to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, and follow instructions for how to properly care for the surgical site to minimize the risk of complications.

Less Pain

Most patients undergoing robotic hernia repair experience less post-surgical pain than with the traditional open surgery method. This is partly due to the fact that the robot’s arms give the surgeon greater flexibility than the laparoscopic tools used in conventional keyhole surgeries. The arms also allow the surgeon to navigate difficult areas of the abdomen, such as the intestines.

Another factor contributing to a decrease in post-surgical pain is the use of a high-definition surgical console that allows the surgeon to zoom in on blood vessels, which helps them control any issues that may arise during the procedure, such as bleeding. This has led to a significant reduction in the number of opioid prescriptions given to patients following hernia repair surgery.

Once a patient undergoes hernia repair surgery, they should follow their doctor’s instructions regarding activity restriction. Most people can return to work and carefully move around their home several days after hernia repair surgery, but they should avoid activities that require sudden movement of the abdomen for up to four weeks. This includes heavy lifting, golf swings, and intense stretching, among other things.

The most important thing to do after hernia surgery is to rest and take it easy to let the abdominal muscles heal. However, it is important to get up and move around occasionally, which can help prevent the buildup of scar tissue that can lead to recurrent hernias.

One limitation to consider is that it can be more challenging to eat after robotic hernia repair than with other forms of hernia surgery. Because of the CO2 that’s instilled into the abdominal cavity and the sluggishness of the bowel due to narcotics and general anesthesia, many patients find they are more bloated than usual after hernia repair surgery. However, this bloating typically goes away after the patient starts eating again and the bowel gets back to normal.

For the first few days after hernia repair surgery, it’s a good idea to stick with liquids and soft foods that are easily digested. It is also important to drink plenty of water and eat high-fiber foods to encourage healthy bowel movements.