Port site tuberculosis following laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Abstract

Port site metastasis is being increasingly reported as a complication following laparoscopic surgery for malignant disorders. Various factors have been reported to be responsible and most are associated with either a high intra-peritoneal pressure due to pneumoperitoneum or the 'chimney effect' following sudden decompression of the abdomen. Direct implantation of the offending cells at the raw surface at the port has also been implicated and the use of retrieval bags is therefore recommended. We report on a rare case of port site seeding of tuberculosis in a 65-year-old woman following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.