Hernia Center of NGMC

The da Vinci Surgical System is a tool that utilizes an advanced, robotic, computer, and optical technologies to assist your surgeon with your operation. It does not act on its own, and your surgeon controls its movements.

The da Vinci Surgical System has a 3D high definition (3D-HD) vision system, special instruments and computer software that allow your surgeon to operate with enhanced vision, precision, dexterity and control. The 3D-HD image is highly magnified, so your surgeon has a close-up view of the area he or she is operating on.

The da Vinci instruments have mechanical wrists that bend and rotate to mimic the movements of the human wrist – allowing your surgeon to make small, precise movements inside your body.

And, da Vinci software can minimize the effects of a surgeon’s hand tremors on instrument movements.

The most appropriate candidates for robotic hernia repair surgery are people who develop groin, incisional, umbilical or Hiatal hernias.

• Groin hernia: A groin hernia is a bulge from a weakened muscle in the abdomen. A groin hernia is more common in men than in women.
• Incisional hernia: An incisional hernia is a hernia that forms around a prior surgical incision in the abdomen.
• Umbilical hernia: An umbilical hernia is a weakness that develops in the abdominal muscles in the belly button. This type of hernia generally occurs in babies.

The benefits of robotic hernia repair and laparoscopic hernia repair surgery over open surgery are similar.

You may experience:

• Minor pain or discomfort for a few days after robotic hernia repair surgery
• A mild fever
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Twinges or pulling in the affected area when you move

Most patients feel better within seven days.

Robotic hernia surgery is a minimally invasive surgery that is generally safe; however, complications can occur with any type of surgery. Complications may include:

• Infection
• Recurrence of a hernia
• Reaction to anesthesia

Robotic hernia repair surgery will be performed under general anesthesia; therefore, you should not eat or drink anything after midnight on the night before surgery.

Your care team will outline what you need to do to prepare for surgery. Guidelines include:

• Stop smoking
• Lose weight – a healthy BMI is associated with decreased preoperative complications and risk of hernia recurrence
• Diabetes – if you are diabetic, we recommend that your diabetes is controlled prior to surgery with an HbA1c < 7.0

The recovery period for patients who undergo robotic hernia repair surgery is approximately two weeks. This is compared to four to six weeks with open hernia surgery and three to four weeks with laparoscopic hernia repair surgery.

Learn more about recovery from hernia surgery.

Follow your doctor’s instructions on what you should and should not do after robotic hernia surgery. Instructions include:

• Get an appropriate amount of sleep.
• Walk each day and gradually increase the distance you walk.
• Avoid strenuous activities, such as jogging or weightlifting.
• Do not drive until your doctor gives you clearance.
• Wait until your doctor gives you the approval to shower – typically 24 to 48 hours after surgery.
• Do not have sex until you have clearance.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Restart medicines following your doctor’s instructions.
• Take medications exactly as prescribed. Narcotic pain medication should only be taken if your pain is uncontrolled with non-narcotic pain medications such as Tylenol and Advil.
• Leave the bandages and tape on the incision site until your doctor has given you instructions to remove it.
• If you have staples along the incision sites, schedule an appointment with your doctor within one to two weeks to have them removed.
• Wash the affected area daily with soapy water. Do not use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol.

Our team has prepared a pre- and post-operative pain control document to help our patients. Please download the document here.

While hernia repair surgery is generally very safe, complications can occur.

Complications may include:

• Infection: While there is a small risk of infection with any surgical procedure, you are at higher risk if you have had an intestinal blockage or a strangulated hernia that leads to tissue death.
• Recurrence of hernia: If the area undergoes strain during the healing process, a hernia can recur.
• Bleeding: In a very small percentage of patients, bleeding can occur inside the incision. This can cause swelling and skin discoloration/bruising.

The risk of complications is higher if you are having emergency hernia repair surgery. Other factors that increase your risk for complications include older age, obesity, smoking, poorly controlled diabetes, or surgery that is performed for a recurrent hernia.

The Hernia Center of NGMC surgeons are highly experienced and have a complication rate that is significantly lower than the national average: <1% for inguinal hernias and approximately 8% for all ventral/incisional hernias. This is one of the reasons our Hernia Center has been certified as a Center of Excellence.

Talk to your doctor about your specific risks.

While the Hernia Center at NGMC surgeons have a low percentage of patients who require hernia revision after they have treated them, the team often sees patients who need hernia revision surgery. As many as 30% of patients nationwide experience a second hernia after an initial hernia repair. Our recurrence rates at the Hernia Center at NGMC are <1% for inguinal hernias and approximately 8% for all ventral/incisional hernias. Our surgeons can evaluate your individual case and offer potential repair solutions.

Causes for hernia recurrence could include:

• Infection: Patients who had an infection that prevented the fascia and connective tissue from healing properly may need another surgery.
• Fascial weakness: If the repair was performed in a weak area of the fascia, hernia revision surgery might be necessary.
• Mesh use: Patients who experience chronic pain, infections, or any other mesh-related complications, may need to repeat hernia repair surgery.

Having hernia surgery or hernia revision surgery at a high-volume, nationally accredited institution is essential to ensure the highest quality care possible. Surgical Review Corporation recently recognized NGMC as the first in Georgia to become a Center of Excellence for Hernia Surgery. This recognition illustrates NGMC’s commitment to providing proven, high-quality hernia care to patients.