rTARUP (Robotic-assisted Transabdominal Retromuscular Umbilical Prosthetic Repair): Long-term Analysis of More Than 48 Months

The rTARUP technique (robotic assisted transabdominal retromuscular umbilical prosthetic repair) has been introduced in the latest years for the treatment of ventral/umbilical hernias. Short-term analyses have proven that this technique can be performed safely and without complications. The technique maintains the benefits of a traditional laparoscopic approach (smaller incision, faster recovery, shorter hospital stay) and obeys mesh complications related to intraperitoneal mesh placement (adhesions, pain due to mesh fixation). An initial evaluation was conducted at our center to assess recurrence and complications 1 year after the procedure in a patient group of 203 patients. We documented 3 patients with a recurrence of which 2 of them had a laparoscopic intra-peritoneal hernia repair to treat the recurrence. Due to Covid-19 restrictions a clinical follow-up was only possible in 73% of patients. Therefore, we believe that a longer follow-up period of at least 48 months after surgery is necessary and surgically relevant to analyze the primary (recurrence rate) and secondary (long-term complications) end points of the recently introduced rTARUP technique for the treatment of ventral/umbilical hernias.

Muysoms, F., et al., Robotic transabdominal retromuscular umbilical prosthetic hernia repair (TARUP): observational study on the operative time during the learning curve. Hernia, 2018. 22(6): p. 1101-1111.

Muysoms, F., et al., Observational study with one year follow-up on robotic assisted retro-rectus ventral hernia repair (RTARUP) with a self-fixating mesh. Br J Surg, 2021. 108(Suppl 8).