Robots vs. scalpels: can High-Tech hernia repair get you home sooner?
NCT ID NCT03904888
First seen Aug 06, 2026 · Last updated Aug 07, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial compares two minimally invasive ways to fix an inguinal hernia: robot-assisted surgery versus conventional laparoscopic surgery. It also tests whether injecting local anesthetic into the small incisions helps patients recover faster. The study includes 200 adults with hernias on both sides, measuring how quickly they become fit for discharge after surgery, as well as recurrence and quality of life at 12 months.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Robot-assisted laparoscopic repair (r-TAPP) compared with conventional laparoscopic repair (l-TAPP), with or without local anesthetic injection at trocar sites
- What this could lead to
- If robot-assisted repair proves faster or less painful, it could become a preferred option for inguinal hernia surgery, improving recovery and patient comfort.
- What could go wrong
- This is a single-center trial with 200 patients, so results may not apply broadly. Robot-assisted surgery may not offer meaningful advantages over standard laparoscopy, and any benefits could be small.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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AZ Maria Middelares
RECRUITINGGhent, 9000, Belgium
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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