RESUMO
PURPOSE: The iliopubic tract repair was first introduced by Nyhus in 1959, as an open non-mesh posterior preperitoneal repair for inguinal hernia. We have adapted this repair using a robotic approach to offer a minimally invasive (MIS) non-mesh inguinal hernia repair, termed the robotic iliopubic tract (r-IPT) repair. The aim of this pilot study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of this new technique. METHODS: Starting in 2015, patients were enrolled in a Phase I trial of r-IPT repair. Inclusion criteria included low-risk patients with small inguinal hernias. Using a robotic TAPP approach, the direct and/or indirect defects were repaired by approximating the transversalis arch to the iliopubic tract. This trial was then expanded in Phase II to include a wider range of patients. Outcomes were collected prospectively. RESULTS: Twenty-four inguinal hernias were repaired in 13 patients via r-IPT as outpatients. Patients were followed for a mean of 24.9 months (range 2.7-55.3, median 24). There were no surgical site occurrences and no recurrences. One (7.7%) patient had acute post-operative genital branch neuralgia, which self-resolved. One (7.7%) patient has chronic pain. CONCLUSION: The Nyhus-inspired robotic iliopubic tract (r-IPT) repair is an MIS approach to provide a non-mesh repair in inguinal hernia. The repair is safe with acceptable preliminary outcomes in low-risk patients. We propose the r-IPT repair to be a MIS option for non-mesh inguinal hernia repair in low-risk patients.
