What is a Hiatal Hernia?
Robotic Hiatal Hernia Repair
Hiatal Hernias Advantages of Robotic Surgery
Preparing for Surgery
Pre Surgery Instructions
Post Surgical Care
Post Operative Care After Hiatal Hernia Surgery
What is a Hiatal Hernia?
A hiatal hernia is when a part of your stomach has entered your chest through your diaphragm which will cause patients to feel reflux or heartburn. Due to the chronic acid exposure of their esophagus these patients may develop cell changes in that area that may become precancerous. In order to fix these hernias, the stomach is brought back down into the abdomen from the chest. Next, the stomach is then taken and wrapped around itself to prevent acid from going into the esophagus.
Robotic Hiatal Hernia Repair
The robotic platform helps us perform safer, more efficient, and more precise hiatal hernia repairs for the following reasons:
- The 3D and magnified vision provided by the robot allows precise motions
- Wrist articulation of the robot helps perform fine dissection and fine movements
- Does not require an experience first assistant or surgical technician
Preparing for Surgery
- Stop taking any blood thinners before surgery & make sure to inform your scheduler if you are on any.
- Absolutely no food or drink after midnight on the day of your surgery.
- Please arrive approximately 1 hour before your surgery time.
- On the day of surgery, have someone responsible who can drive you to & from your surgery & accompany you home afterwards.
- You will not be permitted to drive after anesthesia for up to 24 hours.
- Bring your photo ID & insurance card if you have one.
- After paperwork is completed, an IV will be started & you will meet in the preoperative area to go over your surgery again in detail.
Post Surgical Care
1. Wound Care
- Wash the area twice a day with soap and water and pat it dry.
- Do not soak in a bath or a hot tub or a pool for at least 14 days.
- Keep the incision area clean and dry between your showers.
- You may cover it with dry gauze if it weeps or rubs against your clothing.
2. Activities & Lifestyle
- Avoid heavy lifting, no more than 15 pounds for the first two weeks. Lifting in excess can lead to re-injury, additional swelling, or an increase in your pain level.
- Stay on liquid diet for two weeks due to swelling in the esophagus that may cause solid food and pills to get stuck.
- Drink enough fluids to keep urine clear or pale yellow.
- You can use the stairs and even take short walks. Try to gradually increase your walking distance daily and stop before you become exhausted.
3. Medicines
- Take pain medicine exactly as directed.
- Use Tylenol 1 gram and Ibuprofen 800 milligrams every 6 hours + ice for 3 days.
- Only use narcotic pain medicines if these two don’t work.
- Patients should not drive while taking narcotic pain medication.
- Patients have experienced much less pain postoperatively using robotic techniques.