INGUINAL HERNIA AND ROBOTIC INGUINAL HERNIA REPAIR
An inguinal hernia occurs when abdominal contents, such as fat or a portion of the intestine, protrude through a weakened area of the abdominal wall in the groin region. It is one of the most common types of hernia and may occur on one or both sides. Patients typically present with a groin swelling or bulge that may become more prominent on standing, coughing, or straining and may be associated with pain or discomfort. In severe cases, the hernia may become incarcerated or strangulated, leading to bowel obstruction or compromised blood supply, which requires urgent surgical intervention.
Robotic inguinal hernia repair is performed under general anaesthesia with the patient positioned supine. Several small abdominal incisions are made for the placement of robotic ports, through which a high-definition three-dimensional camera and robotic instruments are introduced. After docking the robotic system, the abdominal cavity is inspected, and the hernia defect is identified. The peritoneum overlying the hernia is carefully incised, and the hernia sac is dissected and reduced into the abdominal cavity while preserving important structures such as the spermatic cord, blood vessels, and nerves. A synthetic mesh is then placed over the weakened area of the groin to reinforce the abdominal wall and reduce the risk of recurrence. The peritoneum is subsequently closed over the mesh using robotic suturing techniques. Following confirmation of haemostasis, the robotic instruments are removed, the port sites are closed, and sterile dressings are applied, completing the procedure.