Robot-assisted ventral hernia repair vs open repair for large abdominal wall defects
Official title: oPen Versus RobotIc retrOmuscular Repair in Medium to Large Ventral Hernias - the PRIOR Multicentre Randomized Controlled Trial
Run by University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland · NCT06364306 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial tests whether robotically assisted repair of large ventral or incisional hernias leads to better outcomes than the traditional open repair.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 140 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland Academic / other |
| Locations | 3 sites (Kempten (Allgäu), Bavaria and 2 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 14, 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2028 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2033 |
| Registry record updated | July 24, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06364306 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults over 18 with transverse diameter 4–15 cm ventral/incisional hernias who can undergo either open or robot-assisted repair and have no exclusion criteria.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with active infection, cancer, prior mesh placement in certain spaces, certain prior abdominal surgeries, or other specified health conditions may not experience benefit and could be at higher risk.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This interventional study compares two surgical approaches for medium to large ventral hernias: robotically assisted ventral hernia repair (RVHR) and open ventral hernia repair (OVHR). Participants are adults with hernias larger than 4 cm and eligible for either approach, and they will be followed for several years to assess stay length, complications, recurrences, reoperations, and quality of life. Outcomes are measured at postoperative day 7, day 30, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years, through in-person visits or remote contacts. Surgeons participating in the study must have substantial experience with both techniques.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, RVHR could reduce complications or recovery time and improve quality of life for patients with large ventral hernias.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies in this area have explored robotic vs open ventral hernia repair, with mixed results; this study adds prospective, direct comparison in larger hernias.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patient age \>18 years * Informed consent obtained * Transverse diameter of ventral hernia \>4cm - 15cm * Eligible to open and minimally-invasive surgery according to preoperative anaesthetic assessment Exclusion Criteria: * precedent hernia treatment with mesh placement in the retromuscular space * precedent anterior or posterior component separation or transversus abdominis release (TAR) * active wound infection * current cancer diagnosis * presence of ileostomy, colostomy or ileal conduit * liver disease defined by the presence of ascites * end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis * need of an emergency surgery * pregnancy Criteria for participating surgeons Each participating surgeon has performed 20 or more OVHR and RVHR.
Where it's running
-
University Hospital Basel
Basel, Canton of Basel-City, Switzerland Recruiting -
Klinikum Kempten
Kempten (Allgäu), Bavaria, Germany Not yet recruiting -
Spital Oberwallis, Visp
Visp, Valais, Switzerland Not yet recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Johannes Baur, MD — Clarunis - Universitäres Bauchzentrum Basel
- Study coordinator: Fiorenzo Angehrn, MD
- Email: fiorenzo.angehrn@clarunis.ch
- Phone: 00 41 61 777 73 17
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Risk factors for mesh infection after abdominal wall reconstruction
This study tests which factors put adults at risk for mesh infection after abdominal wall reconstruction using different mesh types.
-
Hernia Sac Flap Coverage of Mesh in Complex Bony-Edged Ventral Hernias
We’re testing whether using the patient’s own hernia sac as a living flap underneath the mesh helps healing after complex ventral hernia repair when part of the edge is bone.
-
Comparing two surgical techniques for ventral hernia repair
This study tests which of two surgical methods for fixing ventral hernias, eTEP or IPOM, helps patients recover better and have fewer problems after surgery.
-
Patient-specific biomechanical modeling of incisional hernias with AI and finite element analysis
Researchers will test a personalized computer model of the abdominal wall for adults with incisional hernias using anonymized CT data and AI to see how the hernia shapes relate to tissue mechanics.
-
Duramesh repair versus minimally invasive IPOM for high-risk umbilical hernia
This trial tests whether Duramesh repair can match the pain outcomes of minimally invasive IPOM in adults with high-risk umbilical or ventral hernias.
-
Epidural vs. opioid-sparing pain control after complex ventral hernia repair
This trial tests whether an epidural for pain relief after transversus abdominis release hernia repair works better than a non‑opioid, abdominal wall numbing injection approach.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.