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Abstract Aim Robot-assisted transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair (rTAPP) is established as safe and feasible with various robotic platforms. This prospective clinical study (NCT05873582) evaluated a new robotic system, consisting of an open platform with a sterile surgeon’s console, two robotic instrument arms, and one robotic endoscope arm. Material and Methods Three centres in France, Germany and Switzerland participated in the study. Safety and clinical performance data were collected perioperatively up to 30 days for both unilateral and bilateral inguinal hernia repair. Results Fifty patients underwent rTAPP for inguinal hernia (33 unilateral, 17 bilateral). Mean age was 60 years (±15) and BMI 25.7 kg/cm2 (±3.3). All surgeries were successfully completed with robotic assistance, with one conversion to laparoscopy due to trocar positioning. No intra-operative complications, device deficiency, or adverse events of Clavien-Dindo Grade III to V occurred. The mean skin-to-skin operative times were 55 min (±14) for unilateral, 95 min (±22) for bilateral hernia. The mean docking time was 4 min (±2). Robotic console time were 34 min (±12) for unilateral, 68 min (±21) for bilateral hernia. Patients were discharged within 1 day, while 26 discharged on the day of the procedure. The mean duration to return to normal activities was 8.1 days. Conclusions Our rTAPP experience with this new robotic system confirms feasibility and safety. The performance was similar to comparative devices on the market, positioning this new robotic system as an advantageous tool in inguinal hernia repair.
Gantner et al. (Wed,) studied this question.