Professor Lee Cheol-seung of Seoul St. Mary's Hospital Successfully Develops New Surgical Method for Abdominal Wall Hernia

Single-Port Laparoscopic Surgery Achieving Robotic Surgery Effects with Multi-Joint Instruments

Professor Lee Cheol-seung, Department of Colorectal Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Catholic University Seoul St. Mary's Hospital announced on the 18th that Professor Lee Cheol-seung of the Department of Colorectal Surgery recently succeeded for the first time in performing an extraperitoneal single-port laparoscopic abdominal wall hernia surgery using a multi-joint instrument.

The patient treated by Professor Lee was a 55-year-old female who had developed a lump in her abdomen after previous abdominal surgery, followed by symptoms of an abdominal hernia that disappeared when lying down for three years. The patient experienced intermittent abdominal pain and, after monitoring the condition, visited the Department of Colorectal Surgery at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital last year, was diagnosed with an abdominal wall hernia, underwent surgery, and was discharged without complications after just one day.

Typically, abdominal hernia surgery involves open surgery or the insertion of surgical instruments into the abdominal cavity, which results in significant postoperative pain for patients. Professor Lee utilized multi-joint surgical instruments to perform laparoscopic surgery that achieves effects similar to robotic surgery, while accessing the surgical instruments extraperitoneally through a single channel. This method forms a wider protective barrier, reducing patient pain and lowering recurrence rates.

An abdominal wall hernia, where intra-abdominal organs protrude through weakened gaps in the abdominal wall, commonly occurs after surgery and can also develop spontaneously without surgery. Major causes include a thin abdominal wall, congenitally weak connective tissue, weakening of the abdominal wall after surgery, and natural aging processes. Since it does not correct itself and tends to enlarge if left untreated, early surgical correction is recommended.

Professor Lee emphasized, “Even if there are no symptoms, if the intestines become trapped in the hernia site, they can become necrotic or inflamed, so surgery is usually necessary. It is important to seek medical attention without missing the treatment window.”

This surgical case was recently published in the international academic journal Asian Journal of Surgery.