Implementation of robotic hernia surgery using the Versius® system

• Published in: Journal of robotic surgery 2023-04, Vol.17 (2), p.565-569
• Main Authors: Dixon, Frances, Qureshi, Adnan, Vitish-Sharma, Parveen, Khanna, Achal, Keeler, Barrie D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Body mass index; Body size; Cameras; Comorbidity; Dissection; Female; Hernia, Inguinal - surgery; Hernia, Ventral - surgery; Hernias; Herniorrhaphy - methods; Hospitals; Humans; Laparoscopy; Laparoscopy - methods; Length of stay; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Minimally Invasive Surgery; Original; Original Article; Patients; Retrospective Studies; Robotic surgery; Robotic Surgical Procedures - methods; Surgeons; Surgery; Surgical Mesh; Urology
• ISSN: 1863-2491; 1863-2483; 1863-2491
• DOI: 10.1007/s11701-022-01451-4

This case series aims to demonstrate that hernia surgery is safe and feasible using the Versius® robotic system from CMR Surgical, and to describe the surgical techniques used. It is the first series published using this novel system. Forty-one consecutive hernia repair cases were completed using Versius®, including inguinal and ventral hernias. Data were collected prospectively on a number of pre-, peri-, and postoperative outcomes. Techniques are described for robotic transabdominal preperitoneal repair of inguinal hernia, and intraperitoneal onlay mesh repair of ventral hernia. Thirty-two inguinal and nine ventral hernia repairs were performed over a 12-month period. The population were 88% male with a mean body mass index of 27.4 ± 3.5. There were no conversions to open surgery. Median length of stay was 0 days. Six patients (15%) experienced urinary retention, and there were 2 further minor complications with no major complications, readmissions or reoperations. Use of the Versius® system for robotic hernia surgery is safe, with comparable results to existing robotic systems. Implementation is possible with minimal changes to established surgical techniques.