Ascending the Learning Curve of Robotic Abdominal Wall Reconstruction

BACKGROUND: Robotic complex abdominal wall reconstruction (r-AWR) using transversus abdominis release (TAR) is associated with decreased wound complications, morbidity, and length of stay compared with open repair. This report describes a single-institution experience of r-AWR. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on patients who underwent r-AWR by a single surgeon (D.H.) from August 2015 through October 2018. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients underwent r-AWR (16 males [29%] and 39 females [71%]) with a mean age of 60.2 (range 33 to 87) years and a mean body mass index of 34.6 (range 23 to 54) kg/m(2). Forty-one patients presented with an initial ventral hernia (74.5%) and 14 with a recurrent hernia (25.5%). Five patients had a grade 1 hernia (9.1%), 46 had a grade 2 hernia (83.6%), and 4 had a grade 3 hernia (7.3%) according to the Ventral Hernia Working Group system. Thirty-four (62%) patients underwent TAR, 21 (38%) patients underwent bilateral retrorectus release, and 10 (18.2%) patients underwent concomitant inguinal hernia repair. Mean operative time with TAR was 294 (range 106 to 472) minutes and 183 (range 126 to 254) minutes without TAR. Mean length of stay was 1.5 (range 0 to 10) days. Mean follow-up was 10.7 (range 1 to 52) weeks with no hernia recurrences. Seromas occurred in 6 (10.9%) patients, with 2 (3.6%) requiring drainage. Two (3.6%) 30-day readmissions occurred with no conversions to open or 30-day mortalities. CONCLUSIONS: r-AWR with and without TAR is a safe and feasible procedure associated with a short LOS, low complication rate, and low recurrence even within the surgeon's learning curve experience.