Modified robot assisted Rives/Stoppa videosurgery for midline ventral hernia repair

Background - The weakness of the linea alba can be caused by congenital and aquired factors. The conventional procedure to correct these imperfections generally involve large incisions with big detachments of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. The use of videosurgery for the repair of these weaknesses is still controversy. Aim - To describe a new procedure using robotics in the repair of the linea alba, associating minimally invasive tecniques by Rives/Stoppa and component separation tecniques. Methods - Five patients undergone surgery in the same hospital, the same operating team and using the Da Vinci S. robotics equipment. Results Three women and two men undergone surgery, with no mortality. Two of these patients were re-operated due a recurrent hernia between muscle and posterior sheath that was closed in the re-access. Conclusions - The robotic procedure in the reconstruction of the linea alba showed itself feasible and aesthetically acceptable. Also, in advantage, the procedure follows the traditional principals reputable by experts of the abdominal wall trough minimally invasive surgery.