The 1st Abdominal Wall Robotic Workshop on Rectus Plication took place in 2018, bringing together specialists in abdominal wall repair, hernia surgery, and robotic-assisted procedures. The workshop focused on rectus plication techniques, long-term outcomes, and robotic-assisted approaches for abdominal wall reconstruction.
Overview of the Workshop
This one-day workshop explored the core muscle system’s function in body mechanics and stability, covering its impact on spinal function, movement, and physiological processes such as respiration, digestion, and urogynaecological health.
Led by Dr Marco Faria-Correa, a plastic surgeon with over 35 years of experience in treating ventral, umbilical, and incisional hernias, as well as rectus diastasis, the event provided attendees with:
- Case discussions, including long-term follow-ups on rectus plication.
- Live surgical demonstrations showcasing robotic-assisted rectus plication.
- Expert panel discussions on techniques, challenges, and advancements in hernia repair and abdominal wall reconstruction.
Key Topics Covered
Clinical Experience and Long-Term Outcomes
Dr Marco presented insights from his decades of experience, including:
- Patient follow-ups extending over 20 years, evaluating surgical results and complications.
- Cases requiring secondary repair surgeries due to unsuccessful rectus plication.
- A review of different suturing techniques and materials used in rectus plication.
- Imaging analysis using CT scans and ultrasound to assess muscle-aponeurotic repair durability.
- Surgical findings from secondary cases and considerations for selecting optimal techniques.
Live Surgical Demonstration
The workshop featured a live robotic-assisted rectus plication surgery using the da Vinci® Surgical System. This session provided attendees with an opportunity to observe a robotic approach to rectus diastasis repair, including:
- Patient selection and pre-operative planning.
- Techniques for robotic-assisted rectus plication.
- Suture placement and intra-operative considerations.
- Post-operative assessment and expected outcomes.
Expert Panel Discussions
The event also included discussions with general, robotic, and gynaecological surgeons, covering:
- Hernia repair techniques for ventral, umbilical, and incisional hernias.
- Pelvic floor reconstruction using robotic-assisted surgery.
- Rectus diastasis repair methods and surgical considerations.
These interactive sessions allowed for Q&A discussions, where participants exchanged insights and experiences in abdominal wall surgery.
Workshop Programme
The workshop programme included:
- Liposuction of the Abdomen & Trunk
- Robotic Surgery for Hernia Repair
- Robotic Surgery for Pelvic Floor Reconstruction
- Robotic Surgery for Rectus Diastasis Repair
- Live Surgery: Rectus Diastasis Repair using the da Vinci® Surgical System
Workshop Director
Dr Marco Aurelio Faria-Correa
- Physician’s Diploma (Rio Grande do Sul)
- Postgraduate Certification in General Surgery (Brazil)
- Specialised Certification in Plastic Surgery (Brazil)
- TMSBCP (Plastic Surgery, Brazil)
- Accredited Specialist Plastic Surgeon, Ministry of Health, Singapore
Further Workshops
Following the 2018 workshop, Dr Marco has continued to refine robotic-assisted techniques, leading subsequent workshops:
- 2nd Abdominal Wall Robotic Workshop 2019
- Smart Minimally Invasive High-Tech Body Contouring Workshop 2024
