BACKGROUND: Robotic transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair (R-TAPP IHR) is a promising minimally invasive tool for inguinal hernias. This study aimed to evaluate short-term postoperative outcomes following R-TAPP IHR from a high-volume robotic surgeon who has passed the initial robotic learning curve. METHODS: A single-surgeon, single-institution prospective cohort study was conducted from August 2023 to October 2025. Adults who completed an elective R-TAPP IHR were consecutively enrolled. We collected data including baseline demographics and operative characteristics. Postoperative data was assessed and collected via structured telephone follow-up on postoperative day 1 (POD-1), POD-7, and POD-28, evaluating pain scores, postoperative complications, and hospital readmissions. RESULTS: A total of 89 patients underwent 119 repairs. The median console duration was 21 min. The overall operative duration from incision to closure was a median of 38 min, while total theatre time (wheels in to wheels out) was a median of 68 min. These times continued to decrease over the duration of the study. Most patients were discharged on the same day, with a median length of stay of 0 days. Reported pain scores decreased over time, with median values of 4 (out of 10) on POD-1, 2 on POD-7, and 0 by POD-28. Clavien-Dindo grades I-II complications occurred in 4.5% of cases. No grade III-IV complications were observed, and no recurrences were identified during follow-up. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that R-TAPP IHR in the post-learning curve setting is highly efficient and is associated with favourable short-term outcomes.
Hafez et al. (Tue,) studied this question.