St. Mary Hernia Center

The St. Mary Hernia Center specializes in all types of hernia repair from traditional, open technique to laparoscopic and robotic surgery. Each year, we perform more than 400 hernia repairs, including:

• Inguinal hernias
• Incisional hernias
• Umbilical hernias
• Ventral hernias
• Complex and/or recurrent hernia surgeries

Our advanced approach

Our surgeons participate in ongoing continued medical education and training courses to tailor the best techniques for each patient requiring hernia repair. They are equipped to use the latest minimally invasive techniques, including robotic and laparoscopic surgery, when deemed the best technique for your repair.

These minimally invasive techniques allow for smaller incisions, fewer stitches, less pain, and narcotic use as well as faster recoveries. Most patients experience quick recovery and a return to normal activity within about a week, depending on the complexity or size of your hernia.

Abdominal wall hernia repair/reconstruction has made major advances in recent years, particularly with the growing understanding and use of minimally invasive techniques for complex hernia repairs.

Innovations

Though there is always a need and role for open techniques for hernia repair there have been several advances that allow our surgeons to translate these well-established techniques performed with larger incisions historically to minimally invasive approaches with the same or sometimes better outcomes.

Robotic hernia repair utilizing da Vinci Surgical System is changing the experience for hernia patients. Through this cutting-edge technology, more complicated procedures can be performed through smaller incisions providing patients a faster recovery with less pain. It also allows surgeries to place mesh in more optimal locations to minimize scarring and reduce adhesions inside your abdominal cavity. 

This includes robotic approaches to complex abdominal wall reconstruction that previously would have only been able to be performed with larger open incisions raising large skin flaps.

Learn more about hernia repair at St. Mary

A comprehensive overview of hernia repair with Jessica Barton, DO, MS, a board certified general surgeon with St. Mary Medical Center. Dr. Barton is an active member of the Americas Hernia Society, European Hernia Society, International Hernia Collaboration and Robotic Surgery Collaboration.