Incisional Hernia: The Robotic Approach

Abstract

Ventral abdominal hernias remain a challenge for the general surgeon. Optimal management is still being sought; however, ongoing research and advancements in technique have yielded acceptable recurrence rates, decreased surgical site infections, and shorter length of inpatient stay. Although little data exists supporting the robotic retromuscular ventral hernia repair, the benefit appears to be its ability to replicate an open operation, in a minimally invasive fashion. This chapter will provide details on preoperative care, detailed operative steps, and lastly postoperative management for patients undergoing robotic ventral hernia repair, including both single-dock Rives-Stoppa and double-dock bilateral transversus abdominis muscle release hernia repair techniques.