What Is Tension-Free Minimally Invasive Hernia Surgery?

Tension-free minimally invasive hernia surgery is a treatment option for people with hernia symptoms that are not responsive to standard treatment measures or who are interested in less invasive procedures. Tension-free practices enable the surgeon to correct hernias laparoscopically without using methods that add tension or stress to the damaged or weakened tissues, such as stitching the separated portions of the abdominal muscles together.

How Is Tension-Free Minimally Invasive Hernia Surgery Performed

During the surgery, your surgeon will make an incision in your abdomen to access the herniation and identify the affected tissues. The procedure involves small incisions, so the surgeon can utilize laparoscopic tools and techniques to perform the procedure with better accuracy and precision. To surgically repair the herniation without tension, a special medical grade mesh is installed to reinforce the damaged or weakened abdominal muscles, alleviate tension and stress to adequately support the organs and prevent future hernias. 

Tension-free surgery repairs the following types of hernias:

Hiatal hernias occur in the chest and diaphragm and can cause pain, acid reflux, digestive issues, and extreme physical discomfort. Correction with tension-free surgery stops the painful, pulling, and burning sensations patients often experience. With proper care and lifestyle changes, tension-free repair provides long-term symptom relief and minimizes the risk of the protrusion returning.

Femoral hernias often develop from excess body weight, straining, coughing, and heavy lifting. Tension-free surgery repairs defects in the portions of the abdominal and groin muscles to keep the repositioned bowels from falling back out of place. The procedure restores proper bowel function and reduces pain and eliminates movement restrictions.

Recurrent hernias are common and redevelop in the same area. They are often associated with infection or damage to nearby organs and noncompliance with post-operative or ongoing treatment care plans. Recurrent hernias are repaired with mesh reinforcement, a thin sheet of medical-grade material designed to improve healing and prevent conditions, such as additional trauma or damage to the area that increase the risk of recurrence. The mesh is sewn into the abdomen and pulled tightly around the edges of the sac (the hernia contents). It can also be used to repair recurrent inguinal (groin) hernias.

Inguinal hernias are similar to femoral hernias, but they involve the organs, not the intestines, and can occur anywhere the abdominal muscles are damaged, weak, or thin. Inguinal hernias create bulges above the pubic bone, whereas femoral hernias are located below the pubic bone.

Ventral hernias develop when a portion of the stomach, connective tissues, or abdominal muscles push through openings in the abdominal muscles (fascia). Ventral hernias can be excruciating and damage nearby organs if not diagnosed and repaired in a timely manner.

Open hernia surgery: This type of procedure is the traditional standard for hernia repairs but requires the use of general anesthesia and additional practices that increase the risk of surgical complications and longer recovery times for patients. Conventional repair is also associated with post-operative issues, such as increased pain, infection, bleeding, bowel obstruction, and wound and healing impairments.

Alternative Minimally Invasive Hernia Repair Options

Robotic-assisted tension-free surgery is less invasive than traditional open surgeries and has fewer risks and more benefits than conventional correction procedures. Moreover, robotic-assisted and tension-free surgeries are much safer for nontraditional surgery candidates with a history of hernia repair surgeries, are obese, or have multiple or large and complex hernias, and other medical conditions that preclude standard open procedures.

Laparoscopic hernia surgery is similar to robotic-assisted surgery in terms of its minimally invasiveness and benefits. The primary difference is that instead of incorporating a special medically advanced robotics surgical system to perform the procedure, the surgeon relies on their skills, expertise, and specific laparoscopic instruments and techniques.

Though highly effective at correcting abdominal protrusions, there are circumstances where alternative repair techniques are more suitable. They include:

• Patients who are obese
• Patients with certain risk or health factors
• Complicated or large hernias
• Multiple hernias

Benefits of Tension-Free Minimally Invasive Hernia Surgery

The primary benefit of tension-free surgery is that it is minimally invasive and less stressful on the body than traditional procedures. Tension-free hernia repair patients experience the following benefits:

Less Pain, Bleeding, and Scarring – Smaller incisions are less painful and traumatic to the body than larger ones. Patients have less pain, minimal bleeding and wound seepage, and less scar tissue.

Fewer Risks: Surgery is a major medical event for the body that comes with many risks. Most of those risks and those specific to hernia surgery are minimized with the use of specific techniques, tools, and surgeon expertise.

Quick Recovery – Minimally invasive surgery is a more modern procedure that allows you to leave the hospital and return home the same day. The recovery period following the procedure is usually much shorter than with traditional open or laparoscopic surgery, as well as many other minimally invasive procedures (e.g., endoscopic stent placement).

Resume Regular Activities Duties Faster – Smaller incisions are less painful and traumatic to the body than larger ones. Most patients are cleared to resume their normal activities shortly after their procedure. However, post-operative patients should avoid certain activities that can complicate their healing and recovery, such as swimming, baths, heavy lifting, and strenuous exercises for the first few weeks after surgery.

Is Tension-Free Minimally Invasive Hernia Surgery Right for You?

Tension-free repair is one of the safest and most effective treatments for hernias. It’s not only less invasive than traditional techniques, but it also offers faster recovery times and fewer complications. It also improves quality of life for patients.

If you have a hernia and are contemplating surgery, it’s time to talk about tension-free, minimally invasive with your doctor. Contact Orange County Robotic General Surgery at (714) 541-4996. 

Visit our Orange County location at Orange County Robotic General Surgery.

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