Robotic Hernia Repair in Tampa

Hernias of the abdominal wall—whether inguinal, umbilical, incisional, or ventral—are common, and surgical repair remains the definitive treatment in many cases. With advances in surgical technology, robotic hernia repair has emerged as a powerful option combining minimally invasive access with enhanced precision. For patients in Tampa and the surrounding area, Suncoast Surgical Associates stands out as one of the local leaders in robotic hernia repair.

Here’s what you should understand as a prospective patient.

Why Consider Robotic Hernia Repair?

1. Enhanced Precision and Dexterity

The robotic platform provides surgeons with wristed instruments and three-dimensional magnified visualization, enabling finer movements in tight spaces. This can be especially beneficial in complex or recurrent hernias, or when defining and closing hernia defects and suturing mesh. Suncoast Surgical Associates’ surgeons have over 10 years of experience in robotic approaches, including hernia repair.

2. Minimally Invasive Approach

Robotic hernia repair typically uses small incisions, which may lead to less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay, quicker return to daily life, and reduced wound complications (e.g. infection or seroma) compared to open surgery. Registry and institutional studies have shown promising results in these domains. JAMA Network+3Frontiers Publishing Partnerships+3SpringerLink+3

3. Low Recurrence & Durable Outcomes (When Performed by Experienced Surgeons)

• A large retrospective study of robotic ventral hernia repairs using the transabdominal retrorectus technique (r-TARUP) reported low recurrence rates at 3 years and significant improvements in quality of life. Frontiers Publishing Partnerships

• In a series of 306 consecutive robotic ventral hernia cases, complication and reoperation rates were very low; in fact, no hernia recurrences were reported in the medium-term follow-up. SpringerLink

• More broadly, a study of Medicare patients demonstrated that as surgeons gain experience (volume) with robotic-assisted ventral hernia repair, their reoperation rates for recurrence decline, eventually approaching or outperforming open and laparoscopic benchmarks. JAMA Network+1

That said, achieving good outcomes depends heavily on surgical technique, case selection, and surgeon experience (volume).

Key Patient Considerations Before Choosing Robotic Hernia Repair

A. Surgeon Experience & Case Volume

Because robotic techniques require a learning curve, surgeons who perform a higher volume of robotic hernia repairs tend to have lower complication and recurrence rates. In one study, approximately 19 robotic repairs were needed before a surgeon’s recurrence rate approached equivalency with laparoscopic/open repair benchmarks. JAMA Network
Thus, when choosing a provider, ask how many robotic hernia repairs they perform annually, and review their outcomes.

At Suncoast Surgical Associates, the team’s longstanding commitment to robotic surgery across multiple general surgery domains (hernia, colorectal, foregut, etc.) gives them the breadth of experience to apply robotic techniques safely and effectively.

B. Hernia Type, Size & Complexity

Not every hernia is equally suited for a robotic approach. Smaller, relatively straightforward hernias (umbilical, small ventral) are often good candidates. More complex cases—large incisional hernias, those needing component separation, or prior mesh/adhesions—may require additional planning or hybrid approaches. The robotic platform can be leveraged for complex repairs (e.g., with transversus abdominis release [TAR]) but only in experienced hands. Frontiers Publishing Partnerships+2SpringerLink+2

C. Risks & Limitations

As with any surgery, robotic hernia repair carries risks: bleeding, infection, injury to surrounding organs, mesh complications, or recurrence. The robotic approach is not risk-free, and comparative studies suggest similar rates of complications when compared with laparoscopic or open repair in many settings. ACS+3ScienceDirect+3JAMA Network+3
Additionally, robotic surgery tends to have higher costs (equipment, operating room time), and in some studies, longer operative times—especially early in the surgeon’s learning curve. ACS+3PMC+3JAMA Network+3
In morbidly obese patients, robotic repair is feasible and being studied: early results support safety, but patient selection and surgical planning are particularly important. Oxford Academic

D. Recovery Expectations

Most patients undergoing robotic hernia repair can expect:

• Shorter hospital stays or even same-day discharge in selected cases (as in the Jal authors’ series, ~95% same-day discharge for ventral hernia) SpringerLink

• Reduced postoperative pain and faster return to activity compared to open surgery (though direct comparative data are still maturing)

• Wound care for small incisions, gradual resumption of activity under surgical guidance

• Follow-up surveillance to monitor for recurrence or complications

Suncoast Surgical Associates will walk you through the recovery plan tailored to your situation, including diet, activity, pain control, and wound monitoring.

Why Choose Suncoast Surgical Associates for Robotic Hernia Repair in Tampa

• Deep Robotic Expertise Across Domains — The team has more than a decade of experience in robotic surgery for hernias, colorectal conditions, foregut, bariatric, and more.

• Multidisciplinary Approach to Complex Hernias — They handle a full spectrum of abdominal wall hernias (incisional, ventral, umbilical, lumbar) with advanced techniques.

• Local Access & Convenience — With multiple locations in Brandon, Riverview, and Tampa, the practice is easily reachable for patients in the Tampa Bay region.

• Patient Education & Support — Their website emphasizes patient resources, area of expertise breakdowns, and robotic surgery explanations, which reflects their commitment to informed care.

Questions You Should Ask Your Surgeon Before Robotic Hernia Repair

1. How many robotic hernia repairs do you perform each year?

2. What is your personal recurrence rate and complication rate for these repairs?

3. Am I a good candidate for robotic repair, or should another approach be considered?

4. What is your backup plan if you encounter difficulty intraoperatively?

5. What is the postoperative recovery timeline (hospital stay, return to work, restrictions)?

6. What follow-up and surveillance will be done for early detection of recurrence?

For patients in Tampa and surrounding areas with hernias, robotic hernia repair offers the promise of precision, smaller wounds, faster recovery, and durable outcomes when performed by experienced surgeons. That said, success depends heavily on surgeon volume, case selection, and technical execution. Suncoast Surgical Associates is well positioned to provide leading robotic hernia repair services, leveraging years of robotic experience across multiple surgical domains. If you or a loved one are considering hernia surgery, a consultation with a robotics-capable general surgeon such as those at Suncoast Surgical can help guide you toward the best, personalized approach.

Works Cited

Chelliah, D. E., Jal, R., Kaur, H., Shah, A., & Lam, J. (2024). Outcomes from 306 consecutive robotic ventral hernia repairs. Journal of Robotic Surgery. Springer. Link

Garza, A., et al. (2024). Outcomes of robotic transabdominal retromuscular repair (r-TARUP): A retrospective study. Journal of Abdominal Wall Surgery, 1(1), 1–10. Link

Loh, W. S. N., et al. (2024). Surgeon experience and recurrence rates after robotic-assisted ventral hernia repair among Medicare patients. JAMA Network Open, 7(3), e242312. Link

Lorenz, W. R., et al. (2025). Open versus laparoscopic versus robotic inguinal hernia repair: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The American Journal of Surgery. Link

Awad, M. A., et al. (2020). Robotic inguinal hernia repair outcomes: Operative time, complication rates, and learning curve analysis. Journal of Robotic Surgery, 14(5), 757–764. Link