Incisional Hernia After Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy—Predisposing Factors in a Prospective Cohort of 250 Cases

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The incidence of incisional hernia after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) has not been described previously. We report our prospective data in an attempt to identify factors that may predispose to this important complication. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The information contained in our prospectively collected RARP database was used to assess the incidence and predisposing factors for incisional hernia post-RARP in a single surgeon series of 250 patients. RESULTS: The incidence of incisional hernia in our series was 4.8% (12 of 250 patients). Statistical analysis demonstrated a higher rate of incisional hernias in patients for whom the supraumbilical incision for specimen retrieval was closed with a continuous, rather than interrupted suture. Incisional hernia is associated with a significantly longer length of hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Urologists should be aware that incisional hernia is an important postoperative complication after RARP. Closure of linea alba with a nonabsorbable suture using an interrupted technique may help to minimize the incidence of this morbid complication.