Are we failing to consent to an increasingly common complication? Incisional hernias at robotic prostatectomy

Abstract

The use of robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) continues to increase in the management of prostate cancer by minimally invasive approach, with shorter convalescence, reduced blood transfusion and improving oncological outcomes when compared to open surgery. There is a growing evidence base that RALP is significantly associated with incisional hernia (IH) at the specimen extraction site compared to open surgery. A series of 186 RALP patients between August 2012 and August 2018 was reviewed, where 1–7 years follow-up had been observed. The study endpoint was IH rate at the supraumbilical specimen extraction site utilized by the surgeon. Incisional hernia rate at specimen e..