Figure 1. Overall Cumulative Incidence of Operative Recurrence Following Ventral Hernia Repair, Stratified by Approach (Robotic, Laparoscopic, and Open) From 2010-2020.

Cumulative incidence of operative hernia recurrence was calculated using a Cox proportional hazards model that adjusted for patient age, sex, race and ethnicity, Elixhauser comorbidities, year of surgery, approach (robotic-assisted, laparoscopic, or open), mesh use, the use of myofascial flap, and procedure type (ventral/incisional or umbilical). Analysis included use of an instrumental variable to reduce measured and unmeasured confounding. The instrument used was robotic-assisted ventral hernia repair use rate within a hospital referral region in the 12 months prior to a patient’s initial ventral hernia repair. 95% CIs are not visible as the largest interval was −0.18% to 0.18% from point estimates.