The da Vinci system is widely used for its advantages, but its high cost has led to the search for more economical alternatives. The Senhance system, a laparoscopic-based platform with reusable instruments, offers a cost-effective option. As robotic-assisted inguinal hernia repair becomes more common, this study compares the clinical outcomes and preliminary costs of both systems.

This retrospective study analyzed robotic inguinal hernioplasty data from eight hospitals using Senhance (n=167) or da Vinci (n=278) systems between January 2019 and January 2024. Propensity score overlap weighting was applied to ensure balanced baseline characteristics. Outcomes included operative time (ORTIME), console time (CONTIME), total hospital stay length (LOS), postoperative length of stay (Post LOS), intraoperative and postoperative complications, and recurrence rates.

Following overlap weighting, patients in the Senhance group had markedly reduced operative time (108.42 ± 41.32 vs. 150.50 ± 61.51 minutes, p < 0.001) and console time (40.95 ± 44.6 vs. 65.56 ± 63.36 minutes, p = 0.005) compared to those in the da Vinci group. There were no significant differences in intraoperative or postoperative complications, or recurrence rates between the two groups. Furthermore, the Senhance group experienced a significantly shorter length of hospital stay (LOS) (2.24 ± 0.69 vs. 2.63 ± 1.09 days, p = 0.007). Preliminary cost analysis showed lower out-of-pocket expenses for patients undergoing Senhance robotic hernioplasty.

The Senhance system reduced operative time and hospital stay without increasing risks, suggesting a cost-effective alternative to da Vinci platform for robotic inguinal hernia repair. Further research on long-term outcomes and cost-effectiveness is needed.