Short-term outcomes after open versus robot-assisted repair of ventral hernias: a nationwide database study

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Purpose: The robotic platform is widely implemented; however, evidence evaluating outcomes of robotic ventral hernia repair is still lacking. The aim of the study was to evaluate the short-term outcomes after open and robot-assisted repair of primary ventral and incisional hernias. Methods: Nationwide register-based cohort study with data from the Danish Ventral Hernia Database and the National Danish Patients Registry was from January 1, 2017 to August 22, 2022. Robot-assisted ventral hernia repairs were propensity score matched 1:3 with open repairs according to the confounding variables defect size, Charlson comorbidity index score, and age. Logistic regression analyses were performed for factors associated with length of stay > 2 days, readmission, and reoperation within 90 days. Results: A total of 528 and 1521 patients underwent robot-assisted and open repair, respectively. The mean length of hospital stay in days was 0.5 versus 2.1 for robot-assisted and open approach, respectively (P < 0.001) and open approach was correlated with risk of length of stay > 2 days (OR 23.25, CI 13.80–39.17, P < 0.001). The incidence of readmission within 90 days of discharge was significantly lower after robot-assisted repair compared to open approach (6.2% vs. 12.1%, P < 0.001). Open approach was independently associated with increased risk of readmission (OR 21.43, CI 13.28–39.17, P = 0.005, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Robot-assisted ventral hernia repair is safe and feasible and associated with shorter length of stay and decreased risk of readmission compared with open ventral hernia repair.

Original languageEnglish
JournalHernia
Volume28
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)233-240
Number of pages8
ISSN1265-4906
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2023.

    Research areas

  • Incisional hernia, Length of stay, Readmission, Reoperation, Surgical-site occurrence, Umbilical hernia

ID: 386361605