According to the World Health Organization, untreated surgical conditions, including hernia, contribute notably to the global disease burden. Data from the National Center for Biotechnology Information indicates that inguinal hernia affects nearly 27% of men and around 3% of women during their lifetime. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare also highlights the importance of early diagnosis and timely surgical care to prevent complications.

Hernia often begins as a small, painless bulge in the groin, abdomen, or near a previous surgical site, leading many individuals to ignore it. However, early signs may include a dragging sensation, mild discomfort, pressure after prolonged standing, and abdominal heaviness or bloating. Recognizing these symptoms early and seeking medical advice is crucial.

Diagnosis is typically straightforward through physical examination, with imaging used in select cases. Early detection allows for simpler and more effective treatment.

“In my practice, I have treated many patients who initially noticed only a small swelling. It is important to understand how this condition can progress if left untreated. With timely intervention, patients are often reassured by how straightforward the procedure is and how quickly symptoms such as swelling and discomfort improve after repair,” said Dr Parmeshwar Bhambrule, Senior Consultant, Healing Hands Hospital.

Advancements in hernia therapy have made treatment safer and more efficient. Minimally invasive techniques involve smaller incisions, resulting in less pain, a quicker recovery, and a shorter hospital stay. The use of surgical mesh to further strengthen the affected area further reduces the risk of recurrence, enabling patients to resume daily activities comfortably.

Delaying treatment can lead to complications such as incarceration, where tissue becomes trapped, or strangulation, a serious condition requiring emergency care.

“I always advise my patients that hernia treatment is not just about correcting a visible bulge but also about preventing complications and improving overall quality of life. Many patients experience better mobility, improved sleep, and a quicker return to normal routines following timely treatment,” said Dr Vinayak Kshirsagar, DY Patil Hospital, Pune.

Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding excessive strain, and addressing a persistent cough can help reduce risk. Increased awareness, early diagnosis, and timely intervention remain key to effective hernia management and long-term well-being.

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This case stands out not only because of its rarity but also because it exemplifies high-level teamwork, rapid preparedness, and best medical practices across multiple specialties.

Antenatal Detection and High-Risk Admission

On 15/11/2025, a 28-year-old expectant mother was admitted under the expert care of Dr. Swatika Kumari, Senior Gynaecologist, after a detailed fetal anomaly scan revealed left-sided CDH with severely hypoplastic lungs.

Recognising the extreme risk of respiratory collapse immediately after birth, the hospital activated its High-Risk Delivery Protocol, ensuring that the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and surgical teams were on standby.

Birth and the Critical Golden Hour

The baby was delivered on November 15, 2025, at 9:16 AM. As anticipated, the newborn presented with severe respiratory distress, a classic indicator of compromised lung development in CDH cases.

Under the leadership of Dr. Ashwin Borade, Senior Pediatrician & Neonatologist, the NICU team initiated rapid resuscitation, advanced ventilation, and hemodynamic stabilisation. The first hour proved crucial, as the team worked swiftly to maintain oxygenation and prevent circulatory collapse.

Within hours, the neonate underwent a comprehensive evaluation to determine surgical readiness—an assessment made more challenging due to fragile lungs and compromised cardiopulmonary dynamics.

Life-Saving Surgical Intervention at 24 Hours of Life

At approximately 24 hours after birth, Dr. Pranav Jadhav, Pediatric Surgeon, performed a critical corrective surgery to reconstruct the diaphragm and reposition herniated abdominal organs.

The procedure required extraordinary precision, given:

1. The newborn’s severely underdeveloped lungs
2. High anaesthesia risk
3. Potential intra-operative instability

Early intervention, coupled with coordinated preparation in the NICU, proved decisive in improving long-term survival chances.

Intensive Post-Operative Care and Steady Recovery

Over the next several days, the newborn remained under continuous NICU monitoring, requiring ventilatory support and vigilant management to prevent complications such as pulmonary hypertension, sepsis, shock, or feeding issues.

NICU nurses and resident doctors provided round-the-clock care, ensuring stabilisation of respiratory and cardiovascular parameters, gradual weaning from the ventilator, and careful initiation of feeds.

During this period, Lactation Consultant Dr. Rani Balgude offered essential support to the mother. Through structured counselling, guided expression technique,s and supervised latching, she facilitated the successful initiation of breastfeeding—an outcome crucial for immunity, growth, and emotional bonding in high-risk neonates.

Discharge and A Story of Hope

On 07/12/2025, the baby was discharged in stable condition, feeding exclusively on breastmilk and showing no post-operative complications.

For the medical team, the moment symbolised the culmination of weeks of dedication and teamwork.

“Cases like this remind us that medicine is not just science—it is teamwork, trust, and compassion. Our NICU team worked around the clock, and watching this little warrior leave the hospital in good health was truly heart-warming,” said Dr. Ashwin Borade, Senior Pediatrician & Neonatologist.

“This successful outcome reinforces how early diagnosis, coordinated preparedness, and multidisciplinary expertise can turn a critical neonatal emergency into a story of survival and hope,” added Dr. Pranav Jadhav, Pediatric Surgeon.

The post Saving a Newborn with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Through Expert Multidisciplinary Care appeared first on NRI News.

“This achievement is not just about numbers”, , but about demonstrating what is possible when technology and skill converge. Each one of the 13 patients received individualized attention with a commitment to safety, and all procedures were completed with zero errors or complications. The use of robotic-assisted surgery was pivotal. It allowed for exceptional precision and greatly reduced surgeon fatigue, which would have been difficult, if not impossible, had these cases been performed laparoscopically. My priority in every case is patient safety and optimal outcomes,” said Dr. Shenoy, Director of Surgical Gastroenterology and Robotic Surgery-Kauvery Hospital, Electronic City, Bengaluru

The remarkable surgical marathon was witnessed firsthand by Dr. Deepraj Bhandarkar, Former President of the Hernia Society of India, who was visiting the hospital. His presence lends authoritative credibility to this milestone, confirming the safe, precise, and efficient execution of these complex procedures.

“Dr. Ganesh Shenoy’s accomplishment is a testament to his dedication and technical excellence,” said Dr. Bhandarkar. “Performing robotic hernia repairs at this scale in a day, with full focus on patient safety and surgical precision, is truly outstanding and inspiring for the surgical community. The robotic system’s ability to reduce surgeon fatigue significantly enhances the precision and safety achievable during such a marathon, which would otherwise be unthinkable laparoscopically.” Says Dr. Deepraj Bhandarkar, Former President of the Hernia Society of India.

The record has also been recognized by Intuitive, the makers of the da Vinci surgical robot, who played a key supporting role by providing robotic instrumentation, workflow planning, and rapid system turnaround, enabling seamless transitions between cases. Rohit Mahajan, Vice President and General Manager, Intuitive India, said, “This achievement highlights the impact created when highly organized surgical teams adopt best-in-class surgical technologies like the da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery platform to maximize throughput and reduce variability in patient outcomes. By prioritizing care team training and streamlining operational workflows, the Kauvery Hospital team has demonstrated what’s possible in expanding patient access to consistent, high-quality surgical care. We are proud to support this exceptional team in their pursuit of this milestone in patient care.”

Kauvery Hospital continues its commitment to delivering unparalleled patient safety, zero surgical errors, and excellent clinical outcomes by combining cutting-edge technology with exceptional surgical talent. This feat underlines the institution’s status as a Centre of Excellence in Hernia Surgery, accredited by the Asia Pacific Hernia Society and the Hernia Society of India.

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PUNE: Doctors at Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune successfully treated a 65-year-old patient suffering from a complex and large midline hernia through robotic-assisted surgery. The elderly patient presented with extreme pain and discomfort due to the enlarged hernia bulges and also had multiple co-morbidities, including asthma, hypertension, and diabetes.

Given the patient’s age, multiple co-morbidities, high BMI, and a history of three vertical C-sections, the complexity of the surgery was significantly high. To ensure the best possible outcome, the patient underwent robotic-assisted surgery, using the da Vinci system which offered a more precise, minimally invasive approach to manage the challenges of the surgery. 

Dr. Suprashant Kulkarni, Sr. Consultant, General and Robotic Surgeon at Ruby Hall Clinic who led the surgery emphasized the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to improve surgical outcomes. “Our primary goal was to optimize the patient’s overall health before the surgery. As the patient was diabetic, we made sure that her blood sugar levels were under control before the surgery to avoid any risk of infections. With the help of a pulmonologist, we were able to optimize her respiratory issues, effectively improving her condition for two months. As urinary and constipation issues are a common concern in elderly patients, addressing and managing these issues was necessary to ensure that the patient was in good condition for the procedure, thereby reducing the risk of complications,” he said.

The patient was advised to High protein, fiber-rich diet preoperatively, in addition to exercises like walking daily for 30-60 min, and to use inspiratory spirometry to optimize her lung and heart status.

Highlighting the significance of optimizing the patient’s health before surgery, thereby improving the outcomes, Dr. Suprashant Kulkarni, further said, “Umbilical hernias, which affect both men and women, are more common in women due to the weakening of navel scar or weakening of vertical midline incisions (of Caesarean section) and surrounding abdominal muscles during pregnancy. In this patient’s case, a history of three vertical C-sections contributed to weakened abdominal muscles causing a large abdominal bulge (Diastasis recti) in addition to multiple incisional hernias (Called the Swiss cheese defects due to the typical shape caused by the defects).

To prevent hernias in women, women need to focus on strengthening their abdominal & other core muscles in not only in their growing age but also during antenatal and postnatal periods (as per recommendations from their Drs)”.

A robotic platform ensures precise and accurate surgery and the least trauma to the patient’s physiology. The patient was walking on her own in the wards just 5.5 hours post-surgery, despite the long time required for the surgery, and was discharged within 48 hours post-surgery with minimal pain, tolerating a full oral diet

Expressing her gratitude, the 65-year-old patient said, “I’m extremely grateful to Dr. Suprashant Kulkarni and his team for helping me recover this soon. They helped me understand the benefits of robotic-assisted surgery and explained how it can significantly reduce the chances of recurrence in the future.”

“Robotic technology, with its minimally invasive approach, is the best surgical treatment for addressing hernias. The three-dimensional vision, precision, and exceptional reach of instruments, offered by the da Vinci robotic system, enabled the correction of a large hernia through very small incisions. Any other surgical method would have required larger incisions, increasing the risk of infection, recurrence, and delayed wound healing,” Dr. Kulkarni added. 

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