Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 21, 2026
Robotics in Surgery: A Modular Robotic Platform Driven Gastric Wedge Resection
Published on: February 7, 2025
A nationwide evaluation of robotic ventral hernia surgery
Kathleen M Coakley1, Stephanie M Sims1, Tanushree Prasad1
1Carolinas Medical Center, Division of Gastrointestinal and Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Charlotte, NC, USA.
Background:
The purpose of this study was to examine outcomes of robotic ventral hernia repair(RVHR) versus laparoscopic ventral hernia repair(LVHR).
Methods:
The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was queried from October 2008 to December 2013 for ventral hernia repairs. Demographics, morbidity, mortality, and charges were compared between RVHR and LVHR.
Results:
From 2008-2013, 149,622 ventral hernia surgeries were identified; 117,028 open, 32,243 laparoscopic, and 351 robotic. Open repairs were excluded. RVHR rose annually with 2013 containing 47.9% of all RVHRs. RVHR patients were more likely to be older and have more chronic conditions. There was no difference between length of stay. Pneumonia rates were higher with RVHR; however, after controlling for confounding variables, there was no difference in pneumonia rates. Mortality and other major complications were similar. Total charges were increased for RVHR in univariate and multivariate analysis. RVHR was more common in teaching hospitals and wealthier zip codes.
Conclusion:
RVHR demonstrates comparable safety to the laparoscopic technique, with increased charges and increased volume in urban teaching hospitals and patients from areas of higher median income.
