A nationwide evaluation of robotic ventral hernia surgery.

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to examine outcomes of robotic ventral hernia repair(RVHR) versus laparoscopic ventral hernia repair(LVHR).

METHODS

The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was queried from October 2008 to December 2013 for ventral hernia repairs. Demographics, morbidity, mortality, and charges were compared between RVHR and LVHR.

RESULTS

From 2008-2013, 149,622 ventral hernia surgeries were identified; 117,028 open, 32,243 laparoscopic, and 351 robotic. Open repairs were excluded. RVHR rose annually with 2013 containing 47.9% of all RVHRs. RVHR patients were more likely to be older and have more chronic conditions. There was no difference between length of stay. Pneumonia rates were higher with RVHR; however, after controlling for confounding variables, there was no difference in pneumonia rates. Mortality and other major complications were similar. Total charges were increased for RVHR in univariate and multivariate analysis. RVHR was more common in teaching hospitals and wealthier zip codes.

CONCLUSION

RVHR demonstrates comparable safety to the laparoscopic technique, with increased charges and increased volume in urban teaching hospitals and patients from areas of higher median income.