Robin Schmitz, MD1, Justin Barr, MD, PhD1, Dietmar Stephan, MD2, Frank Willeke, MD, PhD2, Sabino Zani, MD1. 1Duke University, 2St. Marienhospital, Siegen, Germany
Introduction: This retrospective study was performed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the new Senhance robotic system (Transenterix) for inguinal hernia repairs using the transabdominal preperitoneal approach. Our series is the first experience in the field of general surgery utilizing this new robotic platform.
Methods: From March to September 2017, 76 inguinal hernia repairs in 64 patients were performed using the Senhance robotic system. The Senhance surgical system is a new robotic platform that consists of a cockpit, manipulator arm and a connection node (Figure 1). This new system provides robotic surgery with numerous advantages including eye-tracking camera control system, haptic feedback, reusable endoscopic instruments, and a high configuration versatility due to total independency of the manipulator arms. Patients were between 18 and 90 years of age, eligible for a laparoscopic procedure with general anesthesia, had no life-threatening disease with a life-expectancy of less than 12 month and a BMI < 40. A retrospective chart review was performed for a variety of pre-, peri- and postoperative data including but not limited to patient demographics, hernia characteristics, intraoperative and postoperative complications.
Results: 54 male and 10 female patients were included in the study. Median age was 56.5 years (range 22-86 years), and median BMI was 25.9 (range 19.5-31.8 kg/m2). Median docking time was 7 minutes (range 2-21 minutes), and median operative time was 48 minutes (range 18-142 minutes). Two cases were converted to standard laparoscopic surgery due to robot malfunction and intraoperative bleeding respectively. One patient developed a postop seroma that did not require any further intervention.
Conclusion: We report the first series of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repairs using the new Senhance robotic system. Compared to previously published conventional laparoscopic or robotic TAPP hernia repairs these data suggest similar outcomes in operative time and perioperative complications. Additionally there was no significant learning curve detected due to its intuitive applicability. Therefor the Senhance robotic system can be safely and easily used for TAPP hernia repairs by experienced laparoscopic surgeons.
Presented at the SAGES 2017 Annual Meeting in Houston, TX.
Abstract ID: 88437
Program Number: P812
Presentation Session: iPoster Session (Non CME)
Presentation Type: Poster