Robotic Hernia Surgery

Laparoscopic hernia surgery began over 30 years ago. Laparoscopic hernia repair changed things radically by avoiding large incisions and their inherent potential complications. Using 1-inch incisions, the surgeon placed small tubes (known as trocars) into the patient's abdomen. Typically 3 trocars are placed and a camera is placed through one and various instruments ( forceps, scissors, graspers, and needle holders to sew tissue) through the remaining trocars. Typically an assistant would hold the camera and show the operating surgeon the area being worked on. The surgeon is viewing a video monitor and using his or her right and left hands to operate through these small trocars.

Over the last 10 years, laparoscopic hernia repair has evolved into Robotic Hernia repair. One difference is that the camera used is of much higher resolution and sends a 3-dimensional image to the surgeon. This visualization alone is responsible for significant improvement in surgical accuracy and safety. The second difference is that the instruments that pass through the small incisions are significantly improved over laparoscopic instruments. The robotic instruments have multiple points of rotational ability that gives the surgeon the sense their hand is inside of the abdomen.