Robotic Single Port Combined Umbilical and Inguinal Hernia Repair

The CAPPUCCINOH study (Combined APProach of Umbilical ConComitant with Inguinal Hernia Repair) is a prospective single-centre, single-arm cohort study conducted at AZ Maria Middelares, Ghent, Belgium. The study evaluates a novel surgical technique combining robotic-assisted inguinal hernia repair with concomitant umbilical hernia repair using the da Vinci Single Port (SP) system.

Building on the feasibility demonstrated in the ESPRITH study, the umbilical hernia defect is used as the single access site for the robotic procedure. Following inguinal hernia repair, the umbilical defect is repaired either by primary closure or with preperitoneal mesh reinforcement according to current guidelines and defect size.

The primary objective is to assess the safety and feasibility of this approach by evaluating operative time, technical errors, successful mesh placement, and perioperative complications. Secondary objectives include assessment of patient-reported outcomes, quality of life, body image, and hernia recurrence at one year postoperatively.

Patients will be followed for one year after surgery, with evaluations performed during hospitalization and at one month and one year postoperatively. The study aims to generate clinical evidence on the safety, effectiveness, and patient experience of robotic single-port repair for concomitant inguinal and umbilical hernias.

Inclusion criteria

• Adults with a primary inguinal hernia, either unilateral or bilateral, in association with a primary umbilical hernia of >1

Exclusion criteria

• recurrent inguinal hernia after preperitoneal repair
• irreducible scrotal hernia
• post-prostatectomy
• laparotomy in the lower abdomen
• pregnancy
• contra-indication for general anaesthesia