What is an Inguinal Hernia?
Robotic Inguinal Hernia Repair
Inguinal Hernias Advantages of Robotic Surgery
Inguinal Hernia Robot Assist requires narcotics less than 5% of the time.
Preparing for Surgery
Pre Surgery Instructions
Post Surgical Care
Post Operative Care After Inguinal Hernia Surgery
What is an Inguinal Hernia?
A hernia is a weakness along your abdominal wall that allows what’s inside to protrude out. An inguinal hernia or groin hernia is very common because the natural weakness is where the spermatic cord travels from the testicles into the abdomen. Patients will often feel a bulge or protrusion where the hernia is located through the weakness that will often cause pain.
Robotic Inguinal Hernia Repair
The robotic platform helps us perform safer, more efficient, and more precise inguinal hernia repairs for the following reasons:
- The 3D and magnified vision provided by the robot allows precise motions
- Does not require an experience first assistant or surgical technician
- Wrist articulation of the robot helps perform fine dissection and fine movements
- Short and smooth recovery time due to ease of suturing
- Inguinal Hernia Robot Assist requires narcotics less than 5% of the time.
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.