Abdominal and groin hernias are common conditions that affect many people around the world. They occur when an organ or tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall, causing a lump and, often, some discomfort.
The introduction of robotic surgery has revolutionised the surgical treatment of hernias, which is good news particularly for those with complications.
Hernias can be life-threatening in some cases. This is usually due to an entrapment of the intestines in the hernia and can require emergency surgery.
One way of avoiding this is by treating hernias early, thus preventing problems further down the line. Keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery is commonly used for simple hernias, but more complex ones often require major incisions which can result in a much longer recovery time for the patient.
The robotic era
Robotic surgery is a minimally invasive surgical technique that involves the surgeon using a surgical robot during the procedure. This technology allows for smaller incisions, less blood loss, and a faster recovery time compared to traditional open surgery.
Although robots have been around for more than 20 years, it took state-of-the-art technology to allow surgeons to work in complex areas, for example, within the abdominal wall. Robotic surgery can be used to repair the hernia with greater precision and accuracy.
"Robots are changing the way we operate," says Charles Evans, consultant surgeon at The Wellington Hospital. "It allows us to widen indications to more complex hernias of the abdominal wall, such as large incisional hernias and parastomal hernias."
Faster recovery
His colleague Danilo Miskovic is convinced that robotic surgery has significant advantages. "We see patients going home the day after surgery, even for operations that traditionally required more than a week in hospital. It’s really quite remarkable."
It’s clear that robotic surgery has revolutionised hernia treatment, bringing patients a lower risk of complication and a faster recovery. If you’ve been diagnosed with a hernia, book an appointment with the CRSC team and find out whether robotic surgery may be a good option for you.
They’ll talk to you about your medical history and discuss your individual needs so you can make an informed decision about what course of action is right for you.
Book an appointment
To book a consultation with The Colorectal & Robotic Surgery Centre, you can phone, email or use our “contact us” form.
Email: crsc@hcahealthcare.co.uk
Call: +44 20 3214 3440