Robotic-assisted surgical treatment of complex giant incisional hernias: A report of 3 cases.

Abstract

Incisional hernia of abdominal wall is one of the most common complications following open surgery. Giant incisional hernia of abdominal wall is defined as having a maximum defect diameter >12 cm or a hernia sac volume-to-abdominal cavity volume ratio >20%. The Primary treatment for giant incisional hernia of abdominal wall is surgical repair; however, both open surgery and conventional laparoscopic surgery are associated with significant technical difficulty, high surgical trauma, frequent postoperative complications, and suboptimal outcomes. From May 2021 to November 2023, 3 patients with giant incisional hernia of abdominal wall were treated at the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University with robotic-assisted intraperitoneal onlay mesh repair using the da Vinci surgical system. These patients experienced minimal intraoperative bleeding, rapid postoperative recovery, no wound infections or severe complications, and no recurrences. Compared with traditional open and laparoscopic surgeries, robotic-assisted surgery demonstrates unique advantages in the clinical management of giant incisional hernias.