Our Summary
The researchers looked at past data to analyze if using a robot for hiatal hernia surgery could be better than the traditional laparoscopic method. They looked at 293 cases from 2012 to 2017, where patients chose either the traditional or robot-assisted surgery. They found no significant differences in the patient’s age, gender, body mass index, smoking history, pre-existing conditions, or type of hiatal hernia.
Interestingly, the group who chose traditional surgery had more patients with higher risk scores (indicating higher risk of complications during surgery) and a particular type of surgery called Toupet fundoplication. However, this group had fewer instances of repeat surgeries than the robot-assisted group.
Comparatively, patients who had robot-assisted surgery had a shorter hospital stay and fewer complications after surgery. There was no difference in the rate of re-admission to the hospital or deaths between the two methods. When looking at all factors, the researchers found that older age and choosing the traditional surgery method were linked with increased complications after surgery.
In conclusion, the robot-assisted surgery method seemed to be associated with better results than the traditional method despite having more repeat surgeries. This suggests that robot-assisted hiatal hernia surgery may be just as good, if not better, than traditional surgery. However, more research is needed to confirm if robot-assisted surgery can provide better short-term and long-term results in treating hiatal hernia.
FAQs
- Does robot-assisted hiatal hernia surgery result in fewer complications and shorter hospital stays than traditional surgery?
- Is there a difference in the rate of repeat surgeries between traditional and robot-assisted hiatal hernia surgery?
- Is there a need for more research to confirm if robot-assisted surgery can provide better results in treating hiatal hernia compared to the traditional method?
Doctor’s Tip
One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about hiatal hernia repair is to follow post-operative instructions carefully to ensure proper healing and minimize the risk of complications. This may include avoiding heavy lifting, following a specific diet, taking prescribed medications, and attending follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider. It is also important to communicate any concerns or changes in symptoms to your doctor promptly.
Suitable For
Patients who are typically recommended for hiatal hernia repair include those with symptoms such as severe heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and chronic cough. These symptoms may indicate a hiatal hernia that is causing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or other complications. Additionally, patients with a large hiatal hernia, recurrent hernias, or complications such as Barrett’s esophagus or stricture may also be recommended for surgery. In some cases, patients with smaller hernias that are causing significant symptoms or complications may also be candidates for repair. Ultimately, the decision to undergo hiatal hernia repair should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider based on the individual patient’s symptoms, medical history, and overall health.
Timeline
Before the hiatal hernia repair surgery, a patient may experience symptoms such as heartburn, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, regurgitation, and acid reflux. They may undergo diagnostic tests such as an upper endoscopy or imaging studies to confirm the diagnosis of a hiatal hernia.
After the surgery, the patient will typically experience some pain and discomfort at the incision site, which can be managed with pain medication. They may be on a liquid or soft diet for a period of time to allow the surgical site to heal. The patient will also be instructed to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activities for a few weeks.
In the weeks and months following the surgery, the patient should experience relief from their symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn. They may need to make dietary and lifestyle changes to prevent a recurrence of the hiatal hernia. Regular follow-up appointments with the surgeon will be necessary to monitor the patient’s progress and address any concerns or complications that may arise.
What to Ask Your Doctor
Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about hiatal hernia repair include:
- What are the risks and benefits of both traditional laparoscopic surgery and robot-assisted surgery for hiatal hernia repair?
- How experienced is the surgeon in performing robot-assisted hiatal hernia surgery?
- What is the expected recovery time and potential complications for each type of surgery?
- Will I need to make any lifestyle changes or follow a special diet after the surgery?
- How long will I need to stay in the hospital after the surgery?
- What is the success rate of each type of surgery in treating hiatal hernia?
- Are there any long-term effects or potential complications associated with either type of surgery?
- How soon can I return to normal activities after the surgery?
- Will I need any additional follow-up appointments or tests after the surgery?
- Are there any alternative treatment options for hiatal hernia that I should consider?
Reference
Authors: Soliman BG, Nguyen DT, Chan EY, Chihara RK, Meisenbach LM, Graviss EA, Kim MP. Journal: Surg Endosc. 2020 Jun;34(6):2495-2502. doi: 10.1007/s00464-019-07055-8. Epub 2019 Aug 5. PMID: 31385076