Incidence of incisional hernia after minimally invasive and open radical prostatectomy: a population-based nationwide study.

OBJECTIVE: Minimally invasive techniques (laparoscopic or robot-assisted laparoscopic) are gradually becoming the methods of choice for surgical treatment of prostate cancer. However, the impact of these techniques on the risk of developing incisional hernia has yet to be fully evaluated. The aim of this study was to compare the risk of incisional hernia after open radical prostatectomy (ORP) and minimally invasive radical prostatectomy (MIRP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: From the National Prostate Cancer Register of Sweden, all men who underwent radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer between 2004 and 2013 were identified. These data were linked with the National Patient Register to determine comorbidity and subsequent diagnosis of incisional hernia or surgery for incisional hernia. The endpoint was diagnosis of or surgery for incisional hernia. Multivariate proportional Cox hazard regression analyses were performed to analyze risk factors.

RESULTS: In total, 19,743 men underwent radical prostatectomy during the study period. The cumulative incidence of incisional hernia was 1.4% [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-1.7%] and 2.3% (CI 1.9-2.7%) 5 years after ORP and MIRP, respectively (p < .05). For men undergoing ORP, age above the median was associated with increased risk of incisional hernia (p < .001). For men undergoing MIRP, age above the median, prostate volume above the median and lymph-node dissection were associated with increased risk of incisional hernia (p < .05).

CONCLUSION: MIRP is associated with a significantly higher risk of developing an incisional hernia compared to ORP. Awareness of appropriate surgical technique may reduce this risk.