What is robotic hernia surgery?
Hernia surgery can be performed via a number of approaches: open incision, laparoscopic (keyhole), and robot-assisted surgery. A robotic surgical system has mechanical arms with surgical instruments and cameras attached, and the surgeon controls these via a computer console at the operating table. Robot-assisted surgery can provide greater precision and control of surgical instruments. It also provides three-dimensional, 10-fold magnification which enhances the surgeon’s view of the surgical area. With a robotic approach, patients can generally expect less pain, fewer complications, shorter stay in hospital, and a quicker return to work and normal activities.
Is robotic surgery experimental?
Robot-assisted surgery is not experimental, it has been widely used around the world for many years – including in Australia for 20 years. Sydney Adventist Hospital (the San) has a well-established robotic surgical centre, with a number of surgeons very experienced in robotic surgery, including the six surgeons participating in this project.
What is the purpose of this project?
Laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery are both considered very good minimally-invasive ways of doing hernia surgery. There has been a perception that robotic surgery is too expensive, however to date there is a lack of data to test this perception. The purpose of this Quality Improvement Project is to see whether robot-assisted hernia surgery can be done both efficiently and economically.
I need hernia repair surgery. How can I find out if it can be done robotically?
Discuss this with your GP and your surgeon. Not every patient is suitable for robotic surgery. Every patient will be carefully assessed, and your hernia surgery will be done via the most appropriate approach for your individual needs.
If I do have robotic surgery, do I have to take part in this project?
You are completely free to choose to take part in this project or not. Discuss this with your GP and your surgeon. Your surgeon will carefully assess your own individual situation and discuss options with you. Your hernia surgery will be done via the most appropriate approach according to your particular needs. If robotic surgery is the most clinically appropriate approach for you, we ask that you consider approving the inclusion of data routinely collected as part of your surgical intervention in this Quality Improvement Project.
Is my type of hernia suitable to allow my inclusion in this project?
For the purpose of this project, there are three groups of hernia patients that may be suitable for inclusion:
- Patients who have had no prior lower abdominal surgery, previous repair, recurrence or pelvic radiotherapy
- Patients who have had previous inguinal hernia repair with recurrence
- Patients who have had previous abdominal surgery and have complex or large incisional hernias that require component separation/abdominal wall reconstruction.
Your doctor will discuss this with you in further detail.
How long will this project be happening?
The robotic hernia quality improvement project commenced on late July 2023, and the aim is to analyse data from 200 patients during the project. The first complete review of the data will be done at three months, with interim results expected at six months and published data after 12 months.
Where is the project being conducted?
The project is only being conducted at Sydney Adventist Hospital (the San), in Wahroonga, NSW.
