Robotic hernia surgery uses a machine to guide your surgeon through the procedure. However, your doctor (not the robot) is still in control at all times.

This study is the first prospective randomized head-to-head clinical trial of robotic transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair versus laparoscopic hernia repair. Early clinical outcomes showed similar postoperative pain, health-related quality of life, mobility and cosmesis between groups.

Your abdomen is covered in layers of muscle and strong tissue that help you move, protect your organs, and support the weight of your intestines. A hernia happens when some of the contents inside your abdomen poke through a weak spot in this muscular wall. This causes a bulge or lump, which can cause pain when you cough, sneeze, strain or do certain physical activities.

If your hernia is small, you may not need surgery right away. Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms. They may also be able to feel or see your hernia during a medical test called an ultrasound, CT scan or MRI. If your hernia is larger, your doctor will recommend a surgical repair to prevent it from getting worse.

During hernia repair surgery, your surgeon makes a few small incisions to fix the hernia. They use a camera that gives them a crystal-clear, magnified view of your stomach and hernia site. They may place a piece of mesh to strengthen your abdominal wall and prevent hernias from coming back.

Inguinal hernias happen when tissue in your abdomen (like belly fat or part of your intestines) pokes through a weak area in your abdominal wall in the groin area. This is more common in men than in women.

Femoral hernias pop through a different area of the groin, in a canal called the femoral canal, right below your inguinal canal. They are more likely to get stuck than inguinal hernias.

Umbilical hernias occur when fat or part of your intestine pushes through muscles near the belly button. This type of hernia is common in newborns but can also occur in adults.

A hernia requires medical attention if you can’t flatten the bulge on your own or it causes pain during physical activity. If you can’t get the hernia to flatten and your intestine is blocked, it is a life-threatening emergency that needs immediate medical attention.

Most hernias can be fixed without a long hospital stay or painful recovery. Most hernias heal within two to four weeks. Recovery depends on the hernia type and how extensive your surgery was, but you should talk to your doctor about what to expect with your specific hernia. Your doctor will tell you about how to care for your hernia and what restrictions to follow after surgery.

What is a Hernia Repair?

A hernia repair surgery is an outpatient procedure that usually takes less than one or two hours. You will be given general, spinal, regional, or local anesthesia to prevent pain. Your doctor will sterilize the area of your abdomen where the hernia is located. They will then stitch the side of your muscle opening or hole, closing the hernia. If your hernia is small enough, they may instead cover the muscle opening with a flat piece of sterile mesh, known as hernioplasty. The mesh will act as a supportive, strengthening scaffold as your tissues regrow around it.

A hernia develops when a weakness or preexisting opening in your muscle or connective tissue allows an organ or fatty tissue to push through. This can be due to a traumatic injury or a surgery, but more commonly it’s from years of pressure from your stomach, intestines, or bowels pushing on muscles and connective tissue. Over time, a hernia can become serious, especially if it gets stuck in the hole that it pushed through and can’t go back into place.

During hernia surgery, your surgeon will make three to four small incisions. Through one of these incisions, they will insert a laparoscope, which has a camera on it to help guide them. They will then insert the rest of their surgical tools through the remaining incisions.

Your doctor will then use the hernia repair robot to perform a hernia repair. They will control the robotic arms and instruments from a screen next to you. They can use a robot to move in tight spaces and create a more precise surgical experience.

Once the hernia is repaired, they will close the incisions. Depending on the hernia, your doctor may also add a piece of mesh to strengthen the abdominal wall. They may also need to staple or suture the site of your hernia.

Before your surgery, your doctor will review your medical history and examine you. They will order tests to see if you are healthy enough for the procedure. They will also ask you not to eat or drink anything for 4 hours before your surgery, except medicine.

How is a Hernia Repair performed?

The surgery to repair a hernia will vary depending on the size, location and complexity of the hernia. However, all hernia repairs have one goal: to ensure a strong repair with the least chance of recurrence. Many hernias are repaired using mesh to reinforce the weakened area of the abdominal wall.

The hernia repair procedure begins when you receive general anesthesia. This will make you sleepy and comfortable during the operation.

Once you are under, your surgeon will make a small incision in the abdomen. They will then inflate the abdomen with a harmless gas to give them access to the hernia and surrounding tissue. Once they can see the hernia better, they will use sutures to stitch the tissues together and place a piece of mesh over the hole.

Your doctor will discuss all of the options for your hernia repair with you before your surgery. They will also review your medical history and conduct tests to determine if you are healthy enough for the surgery.

During robotic hernia surgery, your surgeon sits at a console and operates through small incisions with a camera providing a high-definition, 3D view inside your body. Each hand movement your surgeon makes at the console is translated into precise movements of the robot’s arms, allowing them to perform complex hernia repairs that would be impossible with laparoscopic techniques without the use of a robotic system.

Some patients may require a catheter to help with urine drainage after the surgery. If you have problems passing your urine, it may be necessary to keep a catheter in for a few days after the hernia repair surgery.

Hernia surgery is very safe. However, there are a few risk factors that can increase your likelihood of experiencing complications. These include smoking, a hernia that is larger than usual, or a hernia in the lower abdomen (groin). You should always talk to your doctor about any concerns you have about your health before deciding on a hernia repair surgery. They can explain the risks and benefits of each option to you.

What is a Hernia Recovery?

The recovery from hernia repair surgery varies from person to person depending on the size of the hernia, the procedure used to repair it, and other factors. Most people can return to work one to two weeks after a laparoscopic hernia surgery and four to six weeks after an open hernia repair. It is important to follow the doctor’s instructions and avoid lifting anything heavy while you are recovering from hernia surgery.

Your doctor will let you know when you are well enough to leave hospital (be discharged). It is important that someone stays with you to drive you home after the operation if you have had general anaesthetic. It will take 24 to 48 hours for the effect of the anaesthetic to wear off and you may not feel well enough to operate a motor vehicle.

You can help speed up your recovery by sleeping with your upper body at a 30-45 degree incline. This reduces strain on the surgical site and helps your body heal. It is easy to do and doesn’t interfere with your sleep pattern or cause discomfort. You can achieve the right angle by using an adjustable bed, a chair, a stack of pillows, or a wedge cushion.

If you are experiencing pain while sleeping or while lifting, speak to your doctor. It could be a sign that your hernia is not being adequately repaired.

Most hernias need to be fixed by surgery, although doctors will sometimes take a wait-and-see approach with small and mild hernias. The risk of complications is higher with untreated hernias, such as damage to tissue or organs in the abdomen; pain during coughing or sneezing; problems emptying the bladder; pain during sex in men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB); and hernia recurrence.

Most hernias that are repaired with surgical mesh do not recur. However, the hernia mesh can become damaged or break down over time. In rare cases, a hernia can form underneath the surgical mesh and push through it, causing serious complications. These include bowel obstructions that prevent your bowel from passing food or gas, a condition called incarceration; a buildup of pressure around the hernia that can put the surrounding tissue at risk; and a condition in which your intestines cannot receive oxygen and nutrients (gangrene). These complications are usually rare.