Over the last ten years, the use of robotics-based surgical platforms has grown rapidly. Besides, the number of procedures performed with robotic assistance worldwide increased from 200,000 in 2009 to 900,000 in 2017. Many believe that robotic assistance may also lead to a quick recovery after the surgery.
The objective of this research is to determine if robotic ventral hernia repair can lead to fewer days in the hospital after the surgery compared to laparoscopic repair.
A pragmatic, blinded, randomized, and controlled trial was conducted in multidisciplinary hernia clinics in Houston, USA. The trial included 124 patients who required invasive ventral hernia repair. Out of the 124 patients, 65 patients were given robotic ventral hernia repair, and 59 were given laparoscopic ventral hernia repair.
The results indicated that both groups were similar at baseline. 123 patients (99%) completed the ninety-day follow-up. No evidence showed a difference in days in the hospital between the two groups. Besides, no differences were noted in emergency department visits, wound implications, and hernia reoccurrence.
The study found no evidence of a difference in 90-day post-surgical hospital days between robotic and laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. However, it was discovered that robotic repair increased operative duration and healthcare costs.
Ref: https://www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m2457
