Robotic Hernia Surgery: Advancing Precision and Patient Care

Robotic Surgery

You may or may not have heard about robotic surgery. This innovation has been gaining popularity in recent years due to its many benefits over traditional open surgery and laparoscopic surgery. Also known as robotic-assisted hernia repair, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses a robotic system to perform the surgery.

Benefits of Robotic Hernia Surgery

Enhanced Precision and Dexterity

The robotic surgical system allows for highly precise movements, enabling surgeons to navigate intricate anatomical structures with greater accuracy. Unlike regular minimally invasive (laparoscopic) instruments, robotic instruments have more degrees of movement. This precision contributes to a higher success rate for difficult or complex hernia repairs.

3D Visualization

Robotic hernia surgery provides surgeons with a three-dimensional view of the operative field, allowing for enhanced visualization of the hernia and surrounding structures. Unlike laparoscopy where the view is 2D, a 3D view makes navigating difficult anatomy a lot easier and safer.

Reduced Pain and Faster Recovery

Robotic hernia surgery is associated with reduced post-operative pain and discomfort due to its smaller incisions compared to open surgery. Smaller incisions and less tissue trauma contribute to a quicker recovery, enabling patients to return to their daily activities and work sooner than with an open approach.

So what IS robotic surgery?

The surgeon doesn’t just press a button and go get coffee though! The surgeon sits at a console close to the patient and the robotic arms are placed inside the patient. Using special hand controls the surgeon then moves the robotic arms to perform the surgery. The viewfinder which the surgeon places their head in provides a magnified, 3D view of the surgical site.

During robotic hernia surgery, the surgeon makes several small incisions in the patient's abdomen. The robotic system then uses tiny instruments and a high-definition camera to repair the hernia without the need for large incisions.

Robotic hernia surgery represents a significant advancement in surgical techniques, offering numerous benefits to patients and surgeons alike. Unlike with laparoscopy, the robotic platform gives greater precision and enhanced visualization which allow us to perform both simple and complex operations alike. With the new technology we are also able to perform complex abdominal wall operations which were extremely difficult or impossible to perform laparoscopically.

In some cases, a massive abdominal wall reconstruction can be performed as an outpatient procedure with the robot, where with traditional open methods may lead to a large incision and a week long hospital stay. It is absolutely invaluable if your hernia qualifies.