Minimally Invasive Robotic Hernia Repair in Middle Tennessee

Hernia repair has come a long way, from the large incisions, open surgery technique, combined with a lengthy post surgery recovery time. You can now have hernia repair surgery performed through less invasive procedures, namely, either laparoscopically or now minimally invasive robotic hernia repair.

Hernia Repair Is Common

Hernia repair surgery is both common and normally non-urgent with one million surgeries performed every year. The most simple definition of a hernia is when an internal part of the body like fat, muscle, or intestines, pushes through the abdominal wall.

A hernia will continue to get larger, and it will not repair itself. Many people don’t realize they have one at first, but eventually it must be repaired, as the hole it pushes through does not restrict blood flow to the intestines trapped in the bulge and cause complications. 

Unfortunately, many patients procrastinate because they don’t want to take time off to recover.

Common Types of Hernias

  • Ventral Hernia
  • Incisional Hernia
  • Inguinal Hernia
  • Femoral Hernia

How Minimally Invasive Robotic Hernia Repair Is Different

Like laparoscopic surgery, robotic surgery uses a laparoscope and is performed similarly with a tiny incision, tiny camera, inflation of the abdomen, and the visual image of the inside of the abdomen on a large screen. 

With robotic surgery, your doctor sits at a console in the operating room and handles the instruments from the console. Using these robotic tools defects are repaired and mesh is placed in layers on the wall instead of inside the abdominal cavity.

Main Advantages Of Robotic Hernia Repair

There are a number of advantages to having robotic hernia surgery compared to open surgery and even laparoscopic surgery.

They include the following:

  • Robotic surgery provides 3D images, versus 2D with laparoscopic, giving the surgeon a panoramic view.
  • Less pain without sutures.
  • Shorter recovery time in the hospital.
  • Lower risk of recurrence and complications.
  • Less need for narcotics.
  • Recovery in 1-2 weeks instead of 4-6 weeks, so a faster return to work.
  • Less damage to surrounding tissue.
  • Smaller scars.

Being a candidate for robotic hernia surgery is dependent on the size of the hernia and your general health.

Contact Surgical Alliance of Middle Tennessee at 615-205-9559 to schedule a visit to find out if minimally invasive robotic hernia surgery is right for you.