Incidence of Incisional Hernias after Single-Port Versus Multi-Port Robotic Radical Prostatectomy

Purpose: To determine if single-port robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (SP-RARP) has higher rates of incisional hernias when compared with multi-port robotic-assisted radical prostatectomies (MP-RARP). Materials and Methods: A retrospective, single-institution review of all consecutive robotic prostatectomy cases between January 2017 and December 2022. Analyzed multi-port and single-port robotic prostatectomies performed by two high-volume surgeons. Measured primary outcome for the development of incisional hernias, as defined by computed tomography imaging and clinical documentation. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the effect of the single-port approach on incisional hernia outcomes. Results: A total of 493 patients were included in the study (320 SP-RARPs and 173 MP-RARPs). The overall incisional hernia rate was 8.5% (SP-RARP 8.1% vs MP-RARP 9.2%, p = 0.669). A median follow-up time was 16.6 months and a median time from procedure to hernia diagnosis was 7.4 months. SP-RARP had shorter OR time than the MP-RARP (236 minutes vs 276 minutes, p < 0.001). Patients who developed hernias had higher body mass index (BMIs) than those who did not (30.7 vs 29, p = 0.009). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that patients with higher BMI (odds ratio [OR] 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.14) and a history of prior operation (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.71-4.29) were more likely to develop incisional hernias. Cox regression analysis accounting for the difference in follow-up period demonstrated that SP-RARP 3.4x more likely to develop incisional hernias than MP-RARP (hazard ratio 3.38, 95% CI 1.50-7.58). Conclusions: Patients with higher BMIs and prior history of abdominal surgeries are at increased risk of developing postoperative incisional hernias. SP-RARP procedures confer a higher risk of postoperative incisional hernias.