A giant inguinal hernia in a patient with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

Inguinal hernia formation is a common event in patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Minimally invasive surgical technique for inguinal hernia repair is the same used in patients without EDS but it is related to more intraoperative and postoperative complications.

Inour study, we present a case of inguinal hernia in a EDS patient successfully treated with a robotic transabdominal preperitoneal procedure (TAPP procedure).

We decided to perform a robotic TAPP with the DaVinci Xi® platform (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, USA) under general anaesthesia. A robotic docking was performed and three arms were positioned in the abdomen. Total operative timing was 45 mins.

During the robotic procedure no intraoperative complications were recorded and no drains were applied. The postoperative period was uneventful and the patient was discharged in the first postoperative day.

Inguinal hernia occurs more frequently in patients with EDS, mainly men. Many surgeons believe that EDS may have a negative effect on the clinical outcome of hernioplasty because of postoperative complication and recurrence rates. Our strategy has been robotic technology to facilitate the surgical approach.

Robotic technology is feasible and associated with a shorted recovery and better cosmetic results. The endowrist movement of the robotic arms allows wide instrument articulation in a confined space, bypassing the limitis of laparoscopic instruments. In this way, it is possible to realize an accurate dissection of important elements, to reduce operative timing and intraoperative and postoperative complications.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Inguinal hernia, TAPP.