Its correction, especially in complex cases, can be particularly demanding. However, robotic surgical technology, an integral part of modern surgical practice, offers unique advantages in the harmonious restoration of this complex anatomical problem.

What is a hiatal hernia?

“The diaphragmatic hernia is an internal hernia, that is, it is not recognized as a projection on the abdominal wall, on the contrary, it is characterized by the fact that some part of the stomach, usually together with the lower part of the esophagus, which are normally located intra-abdominally, is displaced towards the chest, through the diaphragm states The Mr. Charalambos Spyropoulos General Surgeon Director of the 3rd Surgical Clinic / Clinic of Minimally Invasive Surgery of the Digestive System, Obesity and Diabetes Metropolitan General and continues:

“Often, a hiatal hernia may have no symptoms and be diagnosed incidentally during an endoscopy (gastroscopy). But most hiatal hernias usually cause constant and mild or sometimes severe symptoms. Those that dominate are the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux, however other clinical signs sometimes coexist:

• bloating
• pain and burning in the stomach
• continuous acid reflux (belching)
• vomit tendency
• dysphagia
• increase in blood pressure
• arrhythmias
• shortness of breath

The diversity and the common nature of the symptoms of the condition with other clinical entities, also highlights the complexity of dealing with hiatal hernia. Very often, due to overlapping symptomatology, patients may receive incorrect diagnoses,” he points out.

Robotic surgical repair of hiatal hernia: The modern surgical development

The robotic surgical treatment of hiatal hernia is the most modern rehabilitation technique, with excellent rates of effectiveness.

“Robotic surgery is performed through a central control console, from which the trained robotic surgeon, equipped with three-dimensional, high-definition real-time vision, performs the entire surgical procedure. Through the manipulation of special joysticks on the control console, the movements of the surgeon’s hands are reproduced in the surgical field with unique fidelity by the robotic arms of the system, which carry flexible special surgical tools.

The most modern surgical platform available is the Da Vinci Xi robotic system, which, due to its construction, offers the possibility of treating even particularly complex hiatal hernias, bypassing the problems of older surgical methods,” he explains.

Advantages of robotic surgical repair of hiatal hernia

“Robotic technology is the first choice in the treatment of diseases of the upper digestive system with excellent long-term results in the correction of hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux. Given that surgical access also requires entry into the chest area (in the mediastinum), the assistance from the application of the robotic system is unique”, concludes Mr. Spyropoulos, mentioning the advantages of the method. Specifically:

• The robotic system provides a high definition 3D image of all the patient’s anatomical structures
• Special and longer robotic surgical instruments perform with extreme precision the delicate manipulations required for hiatal hernia reduction, faithfully replicating the surgeon’s manipulations
• Allows the safe performance of surgical manipulations next to sensitive anatomical structures, such as the esophagus, aorta and lung
• Allows identification of the correct anatomical planes and safe intraoperative navigation in cases of complex restorations, such as during recurrence or multiple reoperations
• Facilitates suturing of the septal gap and more correct placement of absorbable mesh when required, allowing for more effective hernia closure
• The coexisting gastro-oesophageal reflux is restored exceptionally and without tension, through the creation of an anti-reflux valve mechanism (gastric vaulting)
• Accompanied by less pain
• It has a better aesthetic effect (smaller and lower/hidden holes) and an immediate return to everyday life.