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Inguinal Hernia - can you still do robotic prostatectomy?

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Posted 1/16/2009 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All,

I wonder if anyone here had a laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair anytime prior to a robotic prostatectomy. I had one 2 years ago and my urologist said he'd try to start a robotic, but may have to switch over to an open surgery if he encounters the mesh. I wondered if anyone else had this situation. Can't you do some sort of imaging to see exactly where the mesh is, thus avoiding it during subsequent surgery?

Take care everyone,

MichGuy
Posted 1/16/2009 7:17 PM (GMT 0)

I had the surgery 24 months before my prostrate surgey. My surgeon didn't hesitate. He just made his cut right above the previous one and went under the mesh.

There is another member here that had em both done at the same time..My hat still goes off to him.


Posted 1/16/2009 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
I also had an inguinal hernia a couple of years before my robotic laproscopic prostatectomy. I had no problems, and the surgeon had no concerns beforehand.
Posted 1/16/2009 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
I have had a inguinal hernia repair on my right and left side, they were not done by laproscope though.  I have a 5 to 6" scar from both repairs.  the scar is just above where the leg attaches to the trunk.  my local urologist sent me to UCSF to have a RPP done because of the mesh panels.  the surgeon that did the RPP was not concerned about the mesh being in the way, he did the incisions for the RPP about where you see them done in all the pictures on the web.  the inscisions for the RPP were not as sore and painful as the inscisions for the hernia repairs! 

Posted 1/16/2009 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
My Bad. I actually had-> Umbilical hernia surgery - aka -> buldge above the belly button.
Posted 1/16/2009 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys...I feel like printing out this thread and taking it to my doc. I'm curious if any of you had imaging done beforehand to determine the exact location of the mesh. I wonder if imaging to see the mesh is even possible.

You've all been most helpful!
Posted 1/16/2009 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
I had a bone scan done, nothing was said about the mesh.  as I mentioned before the surgeon did not seem concerned at all about the mesh.  my local urologist did not want to do a open surgery because of the mesh though, that is why he referred me to the UCSF to have the RPP done.

Posted 1/17/2009 3:09 AM (GMT 0)

Just another hernia story.

I had my mesh repair in 2001 and my robotic prostatectomy in 2007. I did tell my doctor about the hernia repair during the pre-op discussions, and I'm sure he couldn't have possibly missed the cute scar smilewinkgrin . The prostate surgery went off without a hitch. I don't remember any scans or anything prior to surgery, but I suppose they could have done anything to me while I was under.

I guess it would be of concern if the location of the patch would interfere with the surgery. Otherwise, my doctor didn't seem at all concerned about the hernia patch.

Paul

Posted 1/17/2009 4:10 AM (GMT 0)
My doc told me that over time the scar tissue would soften up. I had lap. surgery back in 98 and he didn't think there would be aproblem. We'll see. DaVinci on Monday.
Bob
Posted 1/17/2009 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Ralph. Good luck on Monday! Interested in hearing your results.
Posted 1/18/2009 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
I had a right inguinal lap repair about 5 years before the DaVinci surgery. My urologist (same doc as Califlostnspace has) could see the mesh from my scans and referred me to UCSF. My doc there (Same doc again....) was concerned as the mesh seemed to be not quite in the right place and made me sign that he could switch from robotic to conventional if necessary. It was not necessary and I do agree that the hernia repair healing was much worse that the healing from the RRP.

Posted 1/18/2009 3:40 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone! CalifGuy...you said your doc could see the mesh from your scans. Do you know what kind of scans those were? I could potentially ask my doc to do the same kind of scans.
Posted 1/18/2009 4:33 AM (GMT 0)
I have developed a ambiblical hernia and need to get it fixed soon. It's very soft and baloon like. It fills my button hole completely and pushes out more when I pee, poop, cough, or sneeze. I had no problems prior to my RP so I believe it was due to the surgery. I have an apt. w/ my Uro next week and will ask him what he thinks and if he knows a good surgen.
Pete
Posted 1/18/2009 9:39 PM (GMT 0)
My husband was lifting some heavy boxes last year and
felt something pull and now he has an inguinal hernia. He went out and purchased a firm support and wears it. He recently went to the doctor for flu like symtoms and the doctor checked the hernia and told him when he was ready to do something about it to let him know. I have heard that surgery is the only cure for this and have wondered if it was a relatively simple procedure? Would appreciate any advice.

Prostate cancer two years ago,
IMRT and seeds

Wiggyann
Posted 1/18/2009 10:34 PM (GMT 0)
Wiggyann,

Laporacopic hernia repair for me was as easy as could be. It was outpatient, took an hour or so, no real pain as I recall, quick recovery within a couple days. I had it done 2 years ago and now I can't even see any scars.

MichGuy
Posted 1/20/2009 2:05 AM (GMT 0)

wiggyann said...
My husband was lifting some heavy boxes last year and
felt something pull and now he has an inguinal hernia. He went out and purchased a firm support and wears it. He recently went to the doctor for flu like symtoms and the doctor checked the hernia and told him when he was ready to do something about it to let him know. I have heard that surgery is the only cure for this and have wondered if it was a relatively simple procedure? Would appreciate any advice.

Prostate cancer two years ago,
IMRT and seeds

Wiggyann

Wiggyann,

I had a inguinal hernia repaired on each side by conventional surgery, they did not do it via laproscopic.  one hernia was repaired about 14 years ago, the other about 18 years ago.  the recovery was much harder for the hernia repairs as far as pain compared to the 6 holes they made for the RPP.  I imagine a laproscopic hernia repair would be easier and less painful.  the odd thing is I was back to work at 5 weeks post op both times for the hernia repairs and my current urologist that did the RPP wants me to be off for 6 to 8 weeks. 

the hernia repairs were outpatient and the RPP I was in the hospital for a little over 1 day. 

Posted 7/28/2012 4:45 PM (GMT 0)

I'm a healty 73 year old guy who had inguial hernia (lower right side) surgery in Janury.  During the healing process and concomitant urinay problems, I eventually discovered that I had prosate cancer. I had been dealing with BPH for years.

I had the robotic prostate surgery on July 16 by Dr. Robert Bae, Newport Beach, CA.  I advised him ahead of time of the hernia surgery.

The surgery was successfully performed, although it added 45-60 minutes to the surgery.  The issue is scar tissue from the prior surgery.  He told me he has dealt with this complication many times and has not had any problems performing the surgery.  Because the surgery procedure requires your belly be inflated, there is a chance that the hernia may reappear.  Having a subsequent hernia repair, if neded, will also be compicated because of scar tissue from the prostate surgey.

Best wishes to all in this situation.

Bob #Huntington Beach, CA)

Posted 7/30/2012 12:38 AM (GMT 0)
I had Davinci about 1 1/2 years ago.  Then hernia appeared. Surgeon said they are result of Davinci.  Had the hernia plugged via open surgery as Dr. said they could not do a lap after robotic.  I have a question for those that have had  open hernia repair.  It has been about three weeks and I can still feel a lump of hard tissue in the groin below the scar and swelling. How long does it take for all that swelling to go down?

Mr. Bill

Post Edited (mr bill) : 7/30/2012 6:40:05 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/30/2012 4:18 AM (GMT 0)
Mr. Bill

I had an open in 1988.

It took awhile.

You are probably within the normal time

Mel

Posted 7/30/2012 10:43 PM (GMT 0)
I developed a ventral(incisional) hernia in the exit incision above my navel. My prostate surgery(DaVinci) was performed 8/1/11. The ventral hernia grew to the size of a soft ball. I had it lap mesh patched 4/17/12.

I am now dealing with seroma's (accumulating fluid).  Had it aspirated once and it appears to be swelling again, probably means another aspiration.

I had an inguinial hernia mesh repaired about 10 years ago, it didn`t seem to have presented any problem during the prostate proceedure. Good luck.

snake

Posted 7/31/2012 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
Snake,

How can you tell if it is a seroma?  It is hard as a rock under the area that was incised.  P.A. says that is normal, but she also seemed in a big hurry.

Mr. Bill

Posted 7/31/2012 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
Mr Bill,

I too have a hard spot about the size of a nickle in the center of the incision.The seroma is the swelling surrounding hard spot.

My Doc says the hard spot is scar tissue from the DaVinci prostate proceedure and should not be a problem unless adhesions expand and attach to adjacent organs. I did not have open surgery. I hope this is some help.

snake

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