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Robot-assisted abdominal wall surgery: a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis

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Abstract

Purpose

The number of robot-assisted hernia repairs is increasing, but the potential benefits have not been well described. The aim of this study was to evaluate the available literature reporting on outcomes after robot-assisted hernia repairs.

Methods

This is a qualitative review and meta-analysis of papers evaluating short-term outcomes after inguinal or ventral robot-assisted hernia repair compared with either open or laparoscopic approach. The primary outcome was postoperative complications and secondary outcomes were duration of surgery, postoperative length of stay and financial costs.

Results

Fifteen studies were included. Postoperative complications were significantly decreased after robot-assisted inguinal hernia repair compared with open repair. There were no differences in complications between robot-assisted and laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. For ventral hernia repair, sutured closure of the defect, retromuscular mesh placement and transversus abdominis release is feasible when using the robot. Length of stay was decreased by a mean of 3 days for robot-assisted repairs compared with open approach. There were no differences in postoperative complications and the operative time was significantly longer for robot-assisted ventral hernia repair compared with laparoscopic or open approach.

Conclusions

For ventral hernias that would normally require an open procedure, a robot-assisted repair may be a good option, as the use of a minimally invasive approach for these procedures decreases length of stay significantly. For inguinal hernias, the benefit of the robot is questionable. Randomized controlled trials and prospective studies are needed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Zealand University Hospital, Lykkebaekvej 1, 4600, Koege, Denmark

    N. A. Henriksen

  2. Digestive Disease Center, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark

    K. K. Jensen

  3. Department of Suregery, Maria Middelares, Ghent, Belgium

    F. Muysoms

Authors
  1. N. A. Henriksen
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  2. K. K. Jensen
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  3. F. Muysoms
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to N. A. Henriksen.

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Conflict of interest

NAH and KKJ declare no conflicts of interest. FM declares conflict of interest not directly related to the submitted work; grants and personal fees from Medtronic and Dynamesh and personal fees from Intuitive Surgical, CMR Surgical and Bard Davol, no funding was received for the current work.

Ethical approval

Approval from the institutional review board was not required for this study.

Human and animal rights

This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

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For this retrospective review, formal consent is not required

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Henriksen, N.A., Jensen, K.K. & Muysoms, F. Robot-assisted abdominal wall surgery: a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis. Hernia 23, 17–27 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10029-018-1872-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10029-018-1872-3

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