First Report of Single‐Surgeon Single‐Incision Laparoscopic Percutaneous Extraperitoneal Closure Using the Senhance Robotic System as Camera Holder for Pediatric Inguinal Hernia

TL;DR

This paper reports the first use of a robotic system to assist a single surgeon in performing a minimally invasive hernia repair in children, eliminating the need for an assistant.

Contribution

The first single-surgeon SILPEC procedure using the Senhance robotic system for pediatric inguinal hernia repair is described.

Findings

Two pediatric patients underwent successful SILPEC with no blood loss or complications.

Operative times were 71 and 77 minutes, with no recurrence observed.

The robotic system enabled stable visualization and efficient, assistant-free surgery.

Abstract

Single‐incision laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure (SILPEC) is used for pediatric inguinal hernia repair in several institutions. However, SILPEC requires at least two operators. We report the first SILPEC performed by a single surgeon using the Senhance robotic system for pediatric patients. The Senhance, which features reusable 3‐ to 5‐mm instruments and tremor filtering, allows both eye‐tracked and manually adjustable camera control via a standalone robotic arm, resulting in stable, assistant‐free visualization while preserving the small port philosophy. Two pediatric patients with inguinal hernia underwent SILPEC. The laparoscope was mounted on one robotic arm, and a 3‐mm curved grasper was manipulated manually through the same incision. Operative times were 71 and 77 min, without blood loss, conversions, or perioperative complications. Both patients remained recurrence‐free. This report demonstrates the feasibility, safety, procedural efficiency, and potential cost‐effectiveness of single‐surgeon robotic assisted SILPEC, thus offering a pragmatic solution for understaffed pediatric surgical units.

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