1. Does the Robot perform the surgery on its own?
No, the surgical robot is a sophisticated and an advanced instrument set-up with specially designed hardware & software making it "intelligent" but not "independent". It needs the brain & the hands of the surgeon to help in the surgery.
2. Is Hernia Surgery possible with Robot?
Yes, #RoboticSurgery is an Advanced form of #Laparoscopic Surgery where a specialized Robotic device is used to “assist” in the surgery performed by the Surgeon. Just like other Laparoscopic Surgeries got upgraded to Robotic platform, Hernia Surgery can also be performed safely & with better precision using the surgical robot.
3. How is #RoboticSurgery different than Laparoscopic Surgery?
Laparoscopy uses long slender instruments with moving parts at the tip of the instrument that help in performing the surgical steps. However, the robotic ‘arms’ replicate the movements of human hands & arms, providing better and wider range of movements. This allows exact replication of the hand movements of the Surgeon in the patient.
4. How costly is #RoboticHerniaSurgery?
As opposed to the instruments of Laparoscopic Surgery, which are reused till they malfunction, the instruments in robotic surgery are designed with predefined & limited shelf-life. The delicate moving parts and the need for precision necessitates usage of disposable instruments. This makes the Robotic Surgery platform premium as compared to Laparoscopic Surgery.
The average addition to the surgery charges would be about 1L (1300 USD) to 2L (2600 USD) over and above the conventional charges.
5. Would #Mesh be still needed?
Yes, as I mentioned above, Robotic surgery is an advanced Laparoscopic Surgery Platform to perform the surgery in a more precise fashion & with better ergonomics for the surgeon. The repair of hernia would need mesh-augmentation irrespective of the type of minimal access surgery – Laparoscopic or Robotic.
6. How many cuts are needed?
Three/Four cuts would be needed to accommodate the camera system and the instrumentations.
7. Would my insurance cover it?
Yes, it should. However, one must check the TPA & the sum-insured to avail the benefits.
8. Is #RoboticHerniaSurgery good for all the hernia repairs?
Latest & advanced technology helps in delivering better cure & results for all surgeries, however this technology is costly. Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery can be an accepted modality for smaller hernia repair.
9. Would #RHS be less painful than Laparoscopic Hernia Repair
RHS enables fixation of the mesh with sutures instead of tacking (Fixation with a screw) the mesh. This should translate to better pain relief.
10. Can Robotic Hernia Surgery be performed after #ProstateSurgery / #PelvicSurgery / #PreviousHerniaSurgery / #RecurrentHerniaSurgery?
Yes. As a matter of fact, the robotic platform has distinct advantages in these very situations where the Laparoscopic platform may have limitations. Better 3D vision, finer & precise movements & maneuverability allows extremely-difficult-to-operate case with minimal invasive surgery.