Trocar site hernias causing intestinal obstruction

Abstract

Purpose: Trocar site hernia is a type of incisional hernia occuring at the trocar sites after laparoscopic surgery. After the development of trocar site hernia, the benefits of laparoscopic surgery may be disappeared, reoperation may be needed and recovery period may be elongated. In this study, we wanted to draw attention to a preventable complication of laparoscopic surgery. Materials and methods: We investigated all laparoscopic procedures performed in 42 weeks period in our surgery clinic from the patient records, retrospectively. We recorded the information about patient demographics, laparoscopic procedures, and patient comorbidities. Results: A total of 3477 patients underwent laparoscopic procedures during the study period and four hernias were identified as occurring at the trocar entry site. Two patients were operated in our clinic, one of them was operated in urology department of our hospital and the other patient was operated in another centre. All patients were symptomatic and all were operated emergently. Conclusion: Many factors affecting the development of trocar site hernia were described and many methods were suggested for prevention. The true incidence is unknown because most patients are asymptomatic. The closure of fascia defects of ≥10 mm trocar seems to be the best preventive method. Pam Med J 2015;8(3):213-218