What is Robotic Hernia Surgery?
A hernia develops when an internal organ or tissue pushes through a weakness or opening in the surrounding muscle or tissue. Hernias can develop in several areas of the body and may cause a visible or noticeable lump, discomfort, pain or a feeling of pressure, although symptoms vary depending on the type of hernia.
Hernias do not usually resolve by themselves and surgery may be recommended when a hernia is causing symptoms or there is a risk of complications. There are different ways to repair a hernia, including open, laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery, and the most appropriate approach will depend on the type and complexity of the hernia and your individual circumstances.
A robotic hernia repair is a minimally invasive approach in which your surgeon operates through small incisions using a camera and specialised instruments controlled from a surgical console. Robotic surgery can be used for a range of abdominal and groin hernias, including some more complex or recurrent hernias.
Why choose St John & St Elizabeth Hospital for your robotic hernia surgery?
Choose St John & St Elizabeth Hospital for specialist hernia care, advanced robotic technology and treatment tailored to your individual condition in St John’s Wood, London.
- Specialist hernia surgeons: Your treatment is led by an experienced consultant who will assess the type and complexity of your hernia before recommending surgery.
- Treatment for different types of hernia: Our specialists treat inguinal, femoral, hiatal, incisional and umbilical hernias, with your treatment plan tailored to the location and characteristics of your hernia.
- Advanced robotic technology: The da Vinci Xi provides detailed 3D visualisation and highly manoeuvrable instruments to support minimally invasive hernia surgery.
- Options for complex hernias: Robotic surgery may provide a minimally invasive option for selected recurrent or more complex hernias as well as primary hernia repairs.
- Private surgical care in London: Receive specialist care throughout your treatment and recovery at our independent hospital in St John’s Wood.
- Supporting St John’s Hospice: As a charitable hospital, any surplus we make is used to support our on-site hospice, which provides free palliative care to thousands of patients and their families each year.
Consultants offering robotic hernia surgery in London
Robotically-Assisted Hernia Surgery using the da Vinci Xi surgical system
The da Vinci Xi provides your surgeon with a highly magnified 3D view of the surgical area and wristed instruments designed for precise movement within the abdomen. The enhanced visualisation and range of movement can assist with detailed work within the abdominal wall and may be particularly useful for certain complex or recurrent hernias. Your surgeon remains in control of the instruments throughout the operation.
Robotically-assisted hernia surgery is performed through small incisions, providing a minimally invasive alternative to open surgery for suitable patients. Potential benefits can include smaller scars and a shorter recovery, although the suitability and advantages of robotic surgery will depend on the type and complexity of your hernia.
Types of Robotic Hernia Surgery at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital
Our surgeons can use robotic-assisted surgery to treat several types of hernia. Your consultant will assess the location and characteristics of your hernia before recommending the most appropriate treatment.
Robotic inguinal hernia repair
An inguinal hernia occurs in the groin when tissue, often part of the bowel or fatty tissue, protrudes through a weak area in the lower abdominal wall. Inguinal hernias are particularly common in men and may cause a lump or discomfort in the groin, especially when coughing, lifting or straining.
For suitable patients, robotic inguinal hernia repair provides a minimally invasive option for treating the weakness in the abdominal wall.
Robotic femoral hernia repair
A femoral hernia develops when tissue pushes through a weak area into the upper inner thigh or groin. It is less common than an inguinal hernia and occurs more frequently in women.
Femoral hernias can have a greater risk of becoming trapped or having their blood supply restricted, so surgical treatment is often recommended. Your consultant will advise whether robotic surgery is appropriate for you.
Robotic hiatal hernia repair
A hiatal or hiatus hernia occurs when part of the stomach moves upwards through an opening in the diaphragm and into the chest. It can be associated with symptoms such as heartburn, acid reflux, difficulty swallowing or discomfort after eating, although some hiatus hernias cause few or no symptoms.
A robotic hiatus hernia repair – also known as robotic hiatal hernia repair – may be considered when surgery is recommended to treat the hernia and associated symptoms.
Robotic incisional hernia repair
An incisional hernia develops through a weakened area in the abdominal wall at or close to the site of a previous surgical incision. It may appear months or even years after the original operation and can vary considerably in size and complexity.
Robotic surgery may provide a minimally invasive treatment option for selected incisional hernias, including some more complex abdominal wall hernias.
Robotic umbilical hernia repair
An umbilical hernia occurs around the belly button when fatty tissue or part of the bowel pushes through a weak area in the abdominal wall. In adults, surgery may be recommended when an umbilical hernia is painful, increasing in size or at risk of complications.
Whether robotic surgery is appropriate will depend on factors including the size and characteristics of the hernia and whether you have had previous abdominal surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions about robotic hernia surgery
Robotic surgery can be used to treat several types of hernia. At St John & St Elizabeth Hospital, these include inguinal, femoral, hiatal, incisional and umbilical hernias.
Not every hernia requires or is suitable for robotic surgery. Your consultant will recommend an approach based on factors such as its type, size and location, whether you have previously had hernia surgery and your general health.
Open hernia surgery is performed through an incision that allows the surgeon to access the affected area directly. Laparoscopic and robotic surgery are both minimally invasive approaches performed through small incisions.
With robotic surgery, your surgeon controls articulated instruments from a console while viewing the surgical area in magnified 3D. The robotic system does not perform the procedure independently.
Robotic technology provides the surgeon with magnified 3D visualisation and instruments with a wide range of movement. This can assist with precise surgery and may be particularly useful for certain complex abdominal wall repairs.
As a minimally invasive approach, robotic surgery may also offer advantages over open surgery such as smaller incisions, less postoperative pain and a shorter hospital stay or recovery for some patients. The benefits vary according to the type of hernia and operation performed.
Robotic hernia surgery recovery time varies according to the type and complexity of your hernia, the extent of your repair, your general health and the physical demands of your work and usual activities.
You will normally be encouraged to start moving soon after surgery, but you may need to temporarily avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting. Your clinical team will provide personalised guidance about returning to work, driving and exercise.
Some patients can return home on the same day as their operation, while others may need to stay in hospital. More complex hernia repairs can require a longer stay.
Your consultant will be able to give you a better indication of what to expect once the type and extent of your surgery have been established.
Yes. There is a risk of recurrence following any type of hernia repair, although most repairs are successful.
The likelihood of recurrence depends on several factors, including the type and size of the hernia, the repair required and individual health factors. Your surgeon can discuss your personal risk with you.
Mesh is commonly used in many types of hernia repair to reinforce the weakened area, but it is not appropriate or necessary in every situation.
Whether mesh is recommended depends on the type of hernia, the repair being performed and your individual circumstances. Your consultant will discuss this with you before surgery.
Robotic surgery may be an option for some hernias that have returned after a previous repair. However, recurrent hernias can be more complex and treatment needs to be planned individually.
Your consultant will consider your previous surgery, the location and size of the recurrent hernia and other relevant factors before recommending an approach.
All surgery carries potential risks, including bleeding, infection and blood clots. Hernia surgery can also involve risks such as injury to surrounding structures, ongoing discomfort, problems associated with mesh where it is used, or recurrence of the hernia.
The risks differ according to the location and type of hernia, so your consultant will explain those relevant to your specific operation.
No. Robotic surgery is one of several approaches to hernia repair. In some circumstances, conventional laparoscopic or open surgery may be more appropriate.
Your consultant will assess your hernia, symptoms, medical history and previous surgery before discussing the available options with you.