Robotic Repair: An Alternative Technique for Rectus Diastasis and Abdominal Bulge Following DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator (DIEP) flap is the gold standard in autologous breast reconstruction. Despite advances in perforator dissection, abdominal morbidity still occurs. Traditional rectus diastasis (RD), abdominal bulge, and hernia repair with open techniques are associated with higher complication rates and recurrence.

OBJECTIVES: We present a novel case series of robotic repair of symptomatic RD and/or abdominal bulge with concurrent hernia following DIEP flap surgery.

METHODS: A single-center, retrospective review was conducted on 10 patients who underwent bilateral DIEP flap breast reconstruction and subsequent robotic repair of RD and/or abdominal bulge and hernia. Pre-operative demographics and post-operative clinical outcomes were reviewed. RD up to 5 cm, abdominal bulge, and any concurrent ventral/umbilical hernias were repaired robotically via retrorectus plication and macroporus mesh reinforcement.

RESULTS: The average age and BMI were 49 years (range 41-63) and 31 kg/m2 (range 26-44), respectively. The average number of perforators harvested per flap was 2.5 (range 1-4). Average RD and hernia size were 3.95 cm (range 2-5) and 5.8 cm2 (1-15), respectively. Eight patients stayed one night in the hospital, two went home the same day as the robotic repair. No patients converted to open technique and none experienced complications within 30 days.

CONCLUSIONS: For the patients who experience donor site morbidity following DIEP flap breast reconstruction, minimally invasive robotic repair of RD and/or abdominal bulge with hernia can be performed with mesh reinforcement. This technique is effective with low complication rates and should be considered over open repair.