Outcomes During the Learning Curve and Feasibility of Implementing the European Hernia Society Recommendation Guidelines for Robotic Abdominal Wall Surgery Within a UK Centre.

BACKGROUND

Robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) for abdominal wall hernia repair is an established, minimally invasive technique that is in the early phase of adoption within the UK. We aimed to demonstrate the impact on patient outcomes and safety of hernia repair by adhering to the robotic abdominal wall surgery pathway developed by the European Hernia Society.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two experienced laparoscopic surgeons in the UK underwent four phases that involved preclinical and clinical phases. The surgeons performed RAS hernia surgery with a stepwise increase in complexity, from robotic transabdominal preperitoneal (rTAPP) inguinal hernia repair, robotic transabdominal retrorectus umbilical prosthesis (rTARUP)/extended totally extraperitoneal (eTEP) to robotic transversus abdominis release (rTAR).

RESULTS

In total, 144 patients underwent RAS for hernia repair. Of these, 97 underwent rTAPP inguinal hernia repair (23 bilateral cases). The median operative time was 56 min for unilateral and 101 min for bilateral repair. Four (3.3%) rTAPP patients experienced complications, with two recurrences at the 6-month follow-up. Forty-two patients underwent rTARUP/eTEP repair, with a median operative time of 167 min. Two (4.8%) of these patients experienced postoperative complications. No recurrences were observed at 6 months. Thirteen patients with incisional hernias underwent rTAR, with a median operative time of 426 min. No recurrences were observed in rTAR patients, followed for up to 12 months.

DISCUSSION

Implementation of the EHS training pathway for robotic abdominal wall surgery resulted in a low complication rate and satisfactory clinical outcomes and represents a robust mechanism for surgeons to safely adopt complex robotic abdominal wall surgery.