ePoster
Presentation Description
Institution: Sydney Adventist Hospital - New South Wales, Australia
Purpose
Robotic surgery offers improved ergonomics, visualisation and tremor control potentially enabling more precise inguinal hernia repair. This study aimed to evaluate short-term postoperative outcomes following robotic transabdominal inguinal hernia repair (RIHR) from a high-volume robotic surgeon.
Methodology
A single-surgeon, single-institution prospective cohort study was conducted using the da Vinci Xi system from August 2023 to October 2025. Consecutive adult patients who underwent elective RIHR were eligible, including recurrent inguinal hernia, previous prostatectomy/cystectomy, incarcerated hernia and previous radiation. Baseline demographics and operative details were collected. Thirty-day postoperative outcomes were assessed via structured telephone follow-up on postoperative days 1, 7, and 28, evaluating pain scores, postoperative complications, and hospital readmissions.
Results
Eighty-nine patients (119 repairs) were included (mean age 63.3 years; 83% male). Median console time for unilateral RHR was 21 minutes (IQR: 15-34), knife-to-skin to skin closure time was 38 minutes (IQR: 29-55), and total time into and out (wheels in to wheels out) of theatre was 68 minutes (IQR: 56-86). Median length of stay was 0 days (range: 0-2), and the median POD 1,7 and 28 pain scores were 4, 2 and 0 out of a 10-point scale, respectively. Clavien-Dindo 1-2 complications occurred in 4.5%. Two patients (2.2%) required readmission: one postoperative haematoma requiring transfusion in the setting of a known bleeding disorder, and a postoperative seroma requiring non-operative management. There were no Clavien-Dindo 3-4 complications. No patients had hernia recurrences.
Conclusion
RIHR demonstrated favourable short-term outcomes with low complication and readmission rates. Most patients were discharged on the same day of surgery, with low post-operative pain scores. Operative efficiency improved with surgeon experience, supporting the safety and feasibility of RHR.
Presenters
Authors
Authors
Mr Yusef Hafez - , Mr Aleksandar Strkalj - , Dr Joseph Do Woong Choi - , Dr Mark Bukofzer - , A/Prof Stephen Pillinger - , A/Prof Christos Apostolou -
