Surgical management and outcomes of complex lateral hernias: a specialized hernia center experience.

INTRODUCTION: Lateral hernias present unique challenges, and understanding treatment modalities is crucial. This study aimed to evaluate lateral hernia management at a specialized center. METHODS: A single-center retrospective study on lateral hernia repair was conducted. Key outcomes included intraoperative complications, emergency visits, postoperative pain, wound complications, and recurrence. RESULTS: A total of 93 patients were included, and the mean lateral defect length was 15.1 cm (7.1). Robotic surgery comprised 91.4% of repairs. The conversion-to-open rate was 4.4%, and intraoperative complications occurred in 9 patients. Nine patients (9.7%) required emergency department visits, and two patients (2.2%) subsequently underwent reoperation. The rate of postoperative pain was 37.4%, and 6 patients (6.6%) experienced chronic pain. No early recurrence was observed during a median follow-up of 1 year (0.4–1.6). CONCLUSION: Lateral hernias can be effectively treated with robotic techniques, but achieving optimal outcomes requires approach selection tailored to both patient factors and hernia characteristics. Our findings emphasize the importance of optimization and tailored management in complex hernia repair.