This is a randomized trial comparing open retromuscular ventral hernia repair to robotic retromuscular ventral hernia repair.

This is a randomized trial comparing open retromuscular ventral hernia repair to robotic retromuscular ventral hernia repair. This is a superiority trial with a primary outcome of length of stay in the hospital, theorizing that robotic retromuscular ventral hernia repairs are superior to open ventral hernia repairs by reducing length of stay by 24 hours. Patients will be blinded to the intervention, groups will be in parallel, and the primary outcome (when the patient is discharged) will be determined by a blinded assessor.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years and older
• 7 cm to 15 cm wide hernia midline defects
• BMI less than or equal to 45
• Patient deemed both an open and robotic candidate by operating surgeon

Exclusion Criteria:

• 17 years old or younger
• prisoners
• pregnant patients
• Emergent patients
• BMI greater than 45
• Hernia defects less than 7 cm or greater than 15 cm in width

Patients will be blinded to the intervention. The primary outcome will be determined by a surgeon other than the operating surgeon who is blinded to the intervention. Patients will also receive the same dressings over their wounds and an abdominal binder will be placed over the abdomen in attempts to limit the unblinding of the patient.