Hybrid robotic transversus abdominis release versus open: propensity-matched analysis of 30-day outcomes

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the hospital length of stay (LOS) and 30 day outcomes of hybrid robotic transversus abdominis release (hrTAR) compared with open transversus abdominis release (oTAR).

Methods: Patients receiving hrTAR were selected from the AHSQC database and propensity matched with a contemporary cohort of oTAR patients.

Results: The cohort included 95 hrTAR and 285 oTAR patients. There was a significantly shorter median LOS in the hrTAR cohort (3 vs. 5 days, p < 0.001). The rate of surgical site occurrences in the hrTAR cohort was also lower than for oTAR (5% vs. 15%, p = 0.015). Readmission rates were not different between hrTAR and oTAR (6% vs. 8%, p = 0.65).

Conclusion: hrTAR demonstrates improved LOS compared to oTAR as well as fewer surgical site related occurrences. Further studies are needed to investigate the etiology behind the improved LOS and to confirm appropriate long-term outcomes from hybrid robotic TAR.

Keywords: Abdominal wall reconstruction; Hernia; Hybrid; Mesh; Robotic; TAR; Transversus abdominis release; Ventral.