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Preliminary robotic abdominal wall reconstruction experience: single-centre outcomes of the first 150 cases

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Abstract

Purpose

Robotic surgery offers new possibilities in repairing complex hernias with a minimally invasive approach. This study aimed to analyze our preliminary results.

Methods

Between November 2015 and February 2020, 150 patients underwent robotic reconstruction for abdominal wall defects (77 primary and 73 incisional). A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database was conducted to evaluate the short-term outcomes.

Results

The mean operative time was 176.9 ± 72.1 min. No conversion to open or laparoscopic approach occurred. The mean hospital length of stay was 2.6 ± 1.6. According to Clavien–Dindo classification, two (grade III) complications following retromuscular mesh placement (1.3%) occurred. One patient (0.7%) required surgical revision due to small bowel occlusion following an intraparietal hernia. The 30-day readmission rate was 0.6%, and the mortality was nihil.

Conclusions

Robotic surgery is valuable for safely completing challenging surgical procedures like complex abdominal wall reconstruction, with low conversion and complication rates. A stepwise approach to the different surgical techniques is essential to optimize the outcomes and maximize the benefits of the robotic approach.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Divion of Minimally-invasive and Robotic surgery, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Università degli studi di Milano, Milan, Italy

    Luca Ferraro, Giampaolo Formisano, Adelona Salaj, Simona Giuratrabocchetta, Francesco Toti & Paolo Pietro Bianchi

  2. Department of General and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Misericordia Hospital, Grosseto, Italy

    Luca Felicioni & Lucia Salvischiani

Authors
  1. Luca Ferraro
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  2. Giampaolo Formisano
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Contributions

First author: Luca Ferraro; corresponding author: Luca Ferraro; study conception and design: Luca Ferraro, Giampaolo Formisano, Paolo Pietro Bianchi; acquisition of data: Adelona Salaj, Lucia Salvischiani, Simona Giuratrabocchetta, Francesco Toti; analysis and interpretation of data: Luca Ferraro, Lucia Salvischiani; drafting of manuscript: Luca Ferraro, Giampaolo Formisano; critical revision of manuscript: Paolo Pietro Bianchi, Giampaolo Formisano, Luca Felicioni

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Correspondence to Luca Ferraro.

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Ferraro, L., Formisano, G., Salaj, A. et al. Preliminary robotic abdominal wall reconstruction experience: single-centre outcomes of the first 150 cases. Langenbecks Arch Surg 408, 276 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00423-023-03004-1

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