Morbidity and mortality in complex robot-assisted hiatal hernia surgery: 7-year experience in a high-volume center

Alexander C. Mertens, Rob C. Tolboom, Hana Zavrtanik, Werner A. Draaisma, Ivo A.M.J. Broeders*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

26 Citations (Scopus)
13 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Introduction: Published data regarding robot-assisted hiatal hernia repair are mainly limited to small cohorts. This study aimed to provide information on the morbidity and mortality of robot-assisted complex hiatal hernia repair and redo anti-reflux surgery in a high-volume center. Materials and methods: All patients that underwent robot-assisted hiatal hernia repair, redo hiatal hernia repair, and anti-reflux surgery between 2011 and 2017 at the Meander Medical Centre, Amersfoort, the Netherlands were evaluated. Primary endpoints were 30-day morbidity and mortality. Major complications were defined as Clavien–Dindo ≥ IIIb. Results: Primary surgery 211 primary surgeries were performed by two surgeons. The median age was 67 (IQR 58–73) years. 84.4% of patients had a type III or IV hernia (10.9% Type I; 1.4% Type II; 45.5% Type III; 38.9% Type IV, 1.4% no herniation). In 3.3% of procedures, conversion was required. 17.1% of patients experienced complications. The incidence of major complications was 5.2%. Ten patients (4.7%) were readmitted within 30 days. Symptomatic early recurrence occurred in two patients (0.9%). The 30-day mortality was 0.9%. Redo surgery 151 redo procedures were performed by two surgeons. The median age was 60 (IQR 51–68) years. In 2.0%, the procedure was converted. The overall incidence of complications was 10.6%, while the incidence of major complications was 2.6%. Three patients (2.0%) were readmitted within 30 days. One patient (0.7%) experienced symptomatic early recurrence. No patients died in the 30-day postoperative period. Conclusions: This study provides valuable information on robot-assisted laparoscopic repair of primary or recurrent hiatal hernia and anti-reflux surgery for both patient and surgeon. Serious morbidity of 5.2% in primary surgery and 2.6% in redo surgery, in this large series with a high surgeon caseload, has to be outweighed by the gain in quality of life or relief of serious medical implications of hiatal hernia when counseling for surgical intervention.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2152-2161
Number of pages10
JournalSurgical endoscopy
Volume33
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Jul 2019

Keywords

  • Anti-reflux
  • Hiatal hernia
  • Redo
  • Reflux
  • Robotics
  • Surgery
  • n/a OA procedure

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