Hernias are a common medical condition, affecting over five million people in the United States, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. When someone has a hernia, it means an organ or tissue is pushing through a weak spot in the surrounding muscle or connective tissue, sometimes resulting in a lump or bulge in the area. Hernias can appear in the abdomen, groin, diaphragm, around the belly button, or through a scar. Some hernias are present at birth, while others are caused by injury or surgery.
The Basics of Robotic Hernia Repair
Not all hernias require surgery, but if they become painful or interfere with someone’s quality of life, surgery is recommended. A newer, minimally invasive technique is robotic hernia repair, where a robot (controlled by a surgeon) can fix the hernia by putting the organ or tissue back in place and closing the weak spot with a synthetic mesh.
“The way I describe it to a patient is it’s as if our hands are inside your body because the instruments have wrists and fingers on them, so we’re able to do more complex things that we couldn’t do with just a laparoscope,” says Daniel J. Vargo, MD, a surgeon at University of Utah Health.
This type of hernia repair creates small incisions, which means less post-operative pain and a smaller risk of wound infections.
Depending on the size, location, and complexity of the hernia, this operation can be as short as 30 minutes, while others may last several hours.
Hernias That Can (and Can’t) Be Repaired Robotically
Several types of hernias can be repaired robotically, including:
- Inguinal: Hernias in the groin area
- Femoral: Hernias lower in the groin than inguinal
- Umbilical: Hernias near the belly button
- Hiatal: Hernias involving the diaphragm
- Incisional: Hernias at the incision site of a previous surgery
“Some people will have very large hernias, and those are dealt with on a case-by-case basis,” Vargo says. “It really depends on the surgeon and what they think they can or can’t accomplish with the robot. It’s worth a consultation with a general surgeon to see if you’re a candidate for robotic repair.”
Other factors taken into consideration when determining if you are a good candidate for this procedure are:
- Overall health
- Complexity of the repair
- Previous surgeries
- Anesthesia tolerance
Preparing for Robotic Surgery
If it’s determined that you are a good candidate for robotic surgery, preparing your body for the procedure can help reduce your recovery time. What this looks like for you will depend on your personal fitness level and overall health. But the following guidelines will be beneficial for you to follow:
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of lean protein and an emphasis on minimize simple sugars
- Take a daily multivitamin
- Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day that is appropriate for your fitness level
- Quit smoking cigarettes
- Ensure other health issues, like diabetes, are under control
Recovery After Robotic Surgery
What your recovery looks like will depend on the size and location of the hernia that was repaired. In general, it is a less painful operation to recover from since the incisions are significantly smaller.
Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions about activity restriction. For minor repairs, most people can return to a desk job, drive a car, and carefully move around their home several days after surgery. However, they will still need to take it easy for three to four weeks and avoid activities that would require sudden use of the abdomen, such as heavy lifting. More complex hernia repairs might require closer to six to eight weeks for the tissue to fully heal.
The Future of Robotic Surgery
While robotic hernia repair is still a relatively new procedure, it’s becoming increasingly common as more doctors are trained to operate the robot.
“It was the fastest growing procedure in general surgery with regards to robotics for about six or seven years running,” Vargo says. “I think that as our techniques improve with regards to fixing more complicated hernias, the number of people who are going to have robotic surgery for hernias is going to increase.”
If you have a bothersome hernia, talk with your doctor to decide whether you are a candidate for robotic hernia repair.