The initial experience of robot-assisted transabdominal transversalis fascial and preperitoneal repair for small ventral hernia

Purpose

Despite the widespread of ventral hernia repairs globally, the approach method, dissection planes, defect closure, and the choice and placement layer of mesh are an ongoing debate. We reported the details of surgical techniques, safety and feasibility for robot-assisted transabdominal transversalis fascial and preperitoneal repair (R-TATFPP) for small ventral hernia.

Methods

This study included 5 cases of R-TATFPP repair among 22 cases performed by robot-assisted ventral hernia repair from 2018 to 2023 with the approval of the Institutional Review Board at St. Luke's International University and clinical ethical committee at St. Luke's International Hospital (19-R147, 22–012).

Results

There were four males and one female, with mean age of 64.4 ± 10.0 years, inclusive of two umbilical and three incisional hernias. Mean height, weight, body mass index (BMI), hernia defect length, width, operation time, console time, and hospital stay were 171.2 ± 11.8 cm, 82.4 ± 13.4 kg, 28.0 ± 2.1 kg/m², 2.8 ± 1.4 cm, 3.0 ± 1.3 cm, 180 min, 133.8 min, and 2.4 days, respectively. No conversion nor complication was observed except for one acute urinary retention.

Conclusion

Robot-assisted transversalis fascial and preperitoneal repair was safe and feasible for small ventral hernia with the minimal disruption to the abdominal wall architecture and structures.