Robotic Recurrent
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Every year, surgeons in the U.S. perform 350,000–500,000 ventral hernia repairs. A ventral hernia occurs when tissue pushes through an opening in the abdominal muscles, creating a visible bulge or tender area. Depending on its location, it may be called an incisional hernia (at a prior surgery site), an umbilical hernia (near the belly button), or an epigastric hernia (above the belly button).
Understanding your options
While doctors may recommend watchful waiting in some cases, surgery is the only way to repair a hernia. Surgeons reposition the muscle and often reinforce it with surgical mesh to lower the risk of recurrence. Some hernias require more complex reconstruction of the abdominal wall. Repair can be done through open surgery, which uses a larger incision, or minimally invasive methods. Laparoscopic and robotic-assisted procedures use small incisions, cameras, and specialized tools to improve precision and may support faster recovery.
How da Vinci works
Surgeons can perform ventral hernia repair using da Vinci technology. With da Vinci, your surgeon sits at a console next to you and operates using tiny instruments through a few small incisions.
A camera provides a high-definition, 3D magnified view inside your body. Every hand movement your surgeon makes is translated by the da Vinci system in real time to bend and rotate the instruments with precision.
It’s important to remember that Intuitive does not provide medical advice. After discussing all options with your doctor, only you and your doctor can determine whether surgery with the da Vinci system is appropriate for your situation. You should always ask your surgeon about his or her training, experience, and patient outcomes.
Why surgery with da Vinci?
Data from a nationally based registry suggest potential benefits of ventral hernia repair using da Vinci technology include:
- Patients who underwent a complex ventral hernia repair with da Vinci stayed in the hospital for less time than patients who underwent an open procedure.
- Patients who had a da Vinci procedure for non-complex ventral hernia repair stayed in the hospital for less time than patients who had a laparoscopic repair.
- Patients who had a ventral hernia repair with da Vinci went to their doctor’s clinic fewer times within the first 30 days after their procedure than patients who underwent an open procedure.
All surgery involves risk. You can read more about associated risks of hernia repair here.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the reasons for reoccurrence of hernias even after surgical intervention?
The reoccurrence of a hernia is caused by various factors such as lifting heavy items too early, tissues losing their strength, infection in the area where the surgery was done or simply the aging process of muscles. Robotic surgery enables doctors to tackle these weak points with more accuracy and thus lowers the risk of damage to the surrounding tissues.
In what manner does robotic recurrent hernia repair differ from my first operation?
The repair through robotics is not confined to traditional methods; the surgeon is given a magnified 3D view and wrist-like instruments with the capability of moving with incredible precision. This results in gaining deeper access to the areas damaged by the previous surgeries, thereby making the repair stronger and more controlled.
Will the use of robots in surgery help me to experience less discomfort after my last hernia operation?
Many people say that they do not have so much pain after surgeries when robotic methods are used since the incisions are smaller and the tissues are handled more softly. Less tension in the muscles usually indicates a more pleasant recovery when compared to repair done by conventional techniques.
What is the technique for dealing with scar tissue during surgery with a robot for recurrent hernia?
Scar tissue is skillfully scraped off with minute robotic instruments that permit slow, tender movements. This accuracy not only helps to avoid the nerves and healthy tissues but also contributes to creating a strong, reinforced repair by giving space.
Does robotic surgery lower the chances of my hernia returning again?
While no procedure can guarantee a hernia will never return, robotic repair allows surgeons to place mesh more accurately and strengthen weakened muscles more reliably. This enhanced control can contribute to a lower recurrence rate over time.
Can I return to my usual activities after surgery for recurrent hernia done with the help of robotics?
In most cases, patients are able to walk on the very same day and take up light activities after a few days. However, the time to full recovery is different in each case. Robotic surgery usually brings about fewer restrictions in movement and a faster return to normal activities as compared to conventional surgeries.
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