Years Of Nagging Pain Gone Thanks To Robotic Hernia Surgery

Not much stops Dorothy Bush. She works 6 to 8 hours a day on her blueberry farm in Pemberton, NJ. After enduring years of nagging pain and relentless acid reflux, Dorothy finally agreed to have her hernia repaired. To her surprise, the surgery she had avoided for years eliminated her pain in just one day.

Thanks to advances in robotic surgical technology, Virtua surgeon Robert Perez, MD, repaired Dorothy’s hernia through small incisions using a high-definition video system and tiny wristed instruments that bend and rotate far greater than the human wrist. The robotic technique allows the surgeon to operate with enhanced vision, precision and control.

“Hernia surgery is different than it used to be,” says Dr. Perez. “Compared to traditional open surgery or standard laparoscopic procedures, robotic surgery is more a precise operation. The results are less pain for the patient and a quicker recovery. My patients are back on their feet the same day as surgery and most go home the same or next day.”

“I was more worried about the recuperation time than I was the actual surgery because farm work doesn’t wait for you to feel better,” shares Dorothy. “But immediately after surgery, the pain that I had tolerated for years was gone.”

A hiatal hernia, like Dorothy’s, is essentially a hole in the diaphragm (the dome-shaped sheet of muscle that separates the chest and abdominal cavities). Over time, the hole can get larger, allowing the stomach to push into the chest cavity and restrict the flow of food. This causes stomach acid to backup into the esophagus. The longer it’s left untreated, the greater the risk of complications and the potential need for emergency surgery.

Today, Dorothy’s hernia is history. She’s back to working on the farm with her husband, Jerry. And, she can eat whatever she wants without pain—something she hadn’t done for years. 

Dorothy’s advice for anyone suffering with a hernia, “Don’t wait.”

Is robotic hernia repair right for you? 

Learn more about the benefits of robotic hernia surgery or call 1-888-VIRTUA-3 to schedule a consultation with a Virtua surgeon trained in robotic surgery.

_{This procedure may not be suitable for every patient. This testimonial represents the individual's experience. Please discuss procedure options and potential risks with your doctor.}

Updated November 7, 2019