Incidence of Port-Site Hernias: A Survey and Literature Review

Port-site hernias in patients undergoing laparoscopic and/or robotic surgery: Can they be prevented?

As laparoscopic surgery advances into robotic surgery, there still remains the occurrence of port-site hernias. This can have severe consequences for the patient, including needing further surgery such as bowel resection. This has an impact on both patient and the National Health Service as the stay in hospital is prolonged, increasing the demand on staff and creating more expense to the National Health Service. This literature review explores the prevalence of port-site hernias and discovers the recommendations in preventive measures. Findings include the benefit of using non-bladed trocars and further studies need to be conducted into the association between smaller or larger ports and port-site hernias.

Laparoscopic Port-Site Hernia: An Underrecognized Iatrogenic Complication of Laparoscopic Surgery

Importance

Port-site hernia is an iatrogenic complication with a documented incidence between 0.65% and 2.8%. However, the true incidence could be higher because of delayed onset, asymptomatic nature, and loss to follow-up. Port-site hernia could be further complicated by incarceration or strangulation leading to small bowel obstruction requiring emergent surgical intervention, thus imposing significant financial and emotional burden to patients.

Objective

This article aims to provide a summary of the available literature concerning port-site hernia and explore preventive strategies for future clinical practice.

Evidence Acquisition

This review was formulated through electronic literature searches in Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The reference lists of the included studies were hand searched to identify other relevant articles to capture all available literature in this narrative review.

Results

Following screening for eligibility based on relevance to the topic under consideration, 28 studies were identified. This included 5 original articles, 1 case series, and 22 review articles, including 4 systematic reviews. Included studies were critically appraised in formulating this review.

Conclusions

Port-site hernia is an underrecognized yet preventable complication with careful consideration of predisposing technical and host factors, thorough attention to surgical technique, or use of a fascial closure device.

Relevance

With the widespread and increasing use of laparoscopic methods to treat surgical pathologies, knowledge of this complication is imperative to encourage prevention strategies and facilitate early recognition and management should it occur.

Incarcerated ventral wall hernia after robotic urogynecologic surgery: A case report

Trocar site hernia is a rare complication of minimally invasive surgery, with incidence estimates varying widely. Studies have demonstrated rates of up to 1.2% in patients undergoing gynecologic surgery. Yet, little is known about hernia risk in the urogynecologic patient population who undergo robotic reconstructive surgery. Risk factors for the development of trocar site hernia include both incisional risk factors (trocar placement location, trocar diameter, intraoperative trocar manipulation) and patient risk factors (obesity, pelvic organ prolapse or other hernia). This report presents a case of large incarcerated small bowel hernia at a trocar site following robotic urogynecologic surgery and the resulting interventions, including repeat surgery, to reduce the hernia. This case should prompt urogynecologic surgeons to check port sites after extensive dissections to assess if large peritoneal or fascial defects need additional closure.

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Complex robotic urogynecologic surgery may increase the risk of trocar site hernia.

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Pelvic organ prolapse is an important risk factor to consider for trocar site hernia.

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Surgeons should inspect robotic port sites for extensions after complex dissection.

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Careful closure of peritoneal and/or fascial extensions may be warranted.

Umbilical incisional hernia (M3) Are trocar hernia differents? Comparative analysis of the EVEREG Registry

INTRODUCTION

Incisional hernia (HI), in open and laparoscopic surgery, is a very frequent complication. HI located in the umbilical region are called M3. The main aim of this study is to compare HI produced by the placement of an umbilical laparoscopic trocar (M3T) with those located in M3 in open surgery (M3O) in terms of basal characteristics, complications and recurrences; and secondarily the identification of risk factors.

METHOD

Cross-sectional observational study based on the national prospective registry EVEREG during the period of July 2012 - June 2018. The main variables were recurrences and postoperative complications. Both groups (M3T and M3O) were compared. Multiple logistic regression was performed to identify the risk factors of the entire cohort.

RESULTS

882 had a follow-up time longer than 12 months. M3O group presented superior ASA-Class, more complex HI and previous repair. It also presented a higher recurrence rate at 12 and 24 months (8.6 vs. 2.5%; p < 0,0001 and 9.3 vs. 2.9%; p < 0.0001) and higher postoperative complications rate (21.9 vs. 14.6%; p = 0.02). Previous repair, intervention length and associated procedures requirement were identified as risk factors for postoperative complications. Absence of a specialist present during surgery, previous repair, and the absence of complications were identified as risk factors for recurrence. In the PSM analysis no differences were detected in of complications and recurrences.

CONCLUSIONS

HI M3O is more complex than M3T. The complexity is not related to the origin of the hernia but to its characteristics and those of the patient.

Port Site Hernias Following Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair

BACKGROUND

Port site hernias (PSH) are underreported following laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR). Most occur at the site of laterally placed 10-12-mm ports used to introduce large pieces of mesh. One alternative is to place the large port through the ventral hernia defect; however, there is potential for increased risk of surgical site infection (SSI). This study evaluates the outcomes when introducing mesh through a 10-12-mm port placed through the hernia defect.

METHODS

This was a retrospective case series of patients who underwent LVHR in three prospective trials from 2014-2017 at one institution. All patients had mesh introduced through a 10-12-mm port placed through the ventral hernia defect. The primary outcome was SSI. Secondary outcomes were hernia occurrences including recurrences and PSH.

RESULTS

A total of 315 eligible patients underwent LVHR with a median (range) follow-up of 21 (11-41) months. Many patients were obese (66.9%), recently quit tobacco use (8.8%), or had diabetes (18.9%). Most patients had an incisional hernia (61.2%), and 19.2% were recurrent. Hernias were on average 4.8 ± 3.8 cm in width. Two patients (0.6%) had an SSI. Fourteen patients had a hernia occurrence-13 (4.4%) had a recurrent hernia, and one patient (0.3%) had a PSH.

CONCLUSION

During LVHR, introduction of mesh through a 10-12-mm port placed through the hernia defect is associated with a low risk of SSI and low risk of hernia occurrence. While further studies are needed to confirm these results, mesh can be safely introduced through a port through the defect.

Laparoendoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP): stepwise transition from multi-site to single-site with the aid of the transurethral port

PURPOSE

To describe our initial experience with laparoendoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) and a stepwise transition towards transurethral assisted laparoendoscopic single-site RP (TU-LESS RP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From Jan. 2007 to Dec. 2016, 195 patients underwent RP, of which 89 patients were performed by LRP (Group A), 106 by TU-LESS RP (Group B). The peri-operative data were collected and analyzed. All data referring to patient demographics, surgery, pathology, and peri-operative outcomes were recorded. The cosmetic result was investigated by the Patient Scar Assessment Questionnaire (PSAQ). Analysis of variance or Chi squared test were adopted to analyze the data.

RESULTS

195 procedures were completed successfully. The operation time (109.6 ± 31.9 vs. 151.5 ± 87.3, P = 0.025) and anastomosis time (10.1 ± 4.8 vs. 21.8 ± 9.9, P < 0.001) of Group B was significantly reduced compared with Group A. Estimated blood loss in Group B was significantly lower than that in Group A (95.9 ± 11.1 vs. 180.2 ± 99.7, P = 0.006). About perioperative complications, Group B was also less compared with Group A (1.9% vs. 7.9%, P = 0.047). As to the usage of postoperative analgesics, Group B apparently used less than that in Group A (6.6% vs. 62.9%, P < 0.001), which is consistent with the visual analogue scale (VAS) of the two groups (1.7 ± 1.3 vs. 7.8 ± 1.1, P < 0.001). Patients in Group B were significantly more satisfied with incision healing than in group A (74.9 ± 9.3 vs. 49.7 ± 5.8, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference both in BCR rate and time between Group B and Group A. In urination control, more patients in Group B did not have urinary incontinence 3 month after RP compared with Group A (81.1% vs. 67.4%, P = 0.028).

CONCLUSIONS

LESS RP is proved to be feasible for the proper patients, but it is difficult to popularized due to inconvenient operation. While by means of TU-LESS, operating difficulty can be significantly decreased. TU-LESS RP will be wildly accepted by surgeons and patients because of cosmetic satisfaction and quicker recovery.

Imaging Postoperative Abdominal Hernias: A Review with a Clinical Perspective

Postoperative internal hernia is a challenging but critical diagnosis in postoperative patients presenting with acute abdomen. Postoperative internal hernias are increasingly being recognized after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and bariatric surgeries. These internal hernias have a high risk of closed-loop obstruction and bowel ischemia; therefore, prompt recognition is necessary. Computed tomography (CT) is the imaging modality of choice in cases of postoperative acute abdomen. Understanding the types of postoperative internal hernia and their common imaging features on CT is crucial for the abdominal radiologist. Postoperative external hernias are usually a result of defect or weakness of the abdominal wall created because of the surgery. CT helps in the detection, delineation, diagnosis of complications, and surgical planning of an external hernia. In this article, the anatomy, pathophysiology, and CT features of common postoperative hernias are discussed. Afterreading this review, the readers should be able to (1) enumerate the common postoperative internal and external abdominal hernias, (2) explain the pathophysiology and surgical anatomy of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass-related hernia, (3) identify the common imaging features of postoperative hernia, and (4) diagnose the complications of postoperative hernias.

Transanal hybrid colon resection: techniques and outcomes for benign colorectal diseases

BACKGROUND

Transanal hybrid rectal and colon resection have been introduced in recent years at dedicated surgical centers. The anus is used as a natural orifice for large size access. The use of transanal hybrid colectomy techniques is still in its infancy with outcomes and unique complications being identified. The purpose of this work is the evaluation of outcomes for transanal hybrid colon resections (ta-CR), including intra operative and postoperative complications, results, and advantages.

METHODS

A prospectively maintained database was analyzed. Inclusion criteria were any patient who underwent ta-CR for rectal prolapse, slow transit, obstructive defaecation, and chronic sigmoid diverticulitis. Patients were excluded from ta-CR if BMI > 30, major previous abdominal surgery, or presence of a large inflammatory mass in diverticulitis. Transanal access was used for all operative steps requiring access of more than 5 mm, such as staplers, large graspers, and specimen retrieval. Data acquisition and analysis was performed for operative time, complications, and postoperative quality of life.

RESULTS

From 2012 to 2017, 82 patients underwent ta-CR [33 males, 49 females, median age 58 (24-80)]. Transanal-subtotal colectomy and ta-CR for constipation was performed in 12 patients; ta-CR and rectopexy in 31, and ta-CR for diverticulitis was performed in 39 patients. Conversion to traditional approach was required in 3 cases (3.6%). Intraoperative complication included 1 rectal tear requiring intervention. Post-op complications included 3 leaks requiring laparoscopic and 1 open revision, the latter developed wound infection and an incisional hernia. Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) improved significantly from preoperative 89 to postoperative 119 (p < 0.001). No patients with ta-CR without open revision developed a hernia post-op with median 18 months follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

ta-CR is a safe and effective NOTES Hybrid technique for colorectal procedures in selected patients with benign colon disorders. GIQLI shows improvement and this technique can have the potential in preventing wound and hernia complications.

A case report of a double port site hernia and their laparoscopic repair with intra corporeal suturing of the hernia necks and an underlay mesh repair

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First case report of a double port site hernia.

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First laparoscopic repair of a double port site hernia.

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Intra corporeal suturing of the hernia necks prior to application of the underlay mesh.

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CT scan clearing showing the penetration of the right rectus muscle by the hernia.

Introduction

Port site hernias (PSH) are a potential postoperative complication in laparoscopic surgery. It is difficult to estimate their true incidence given the descrepancy in published reports.

Presentation of case

This is a case report of a 42-year-old lady who developed two separate PSH requiring a laparoscopic repair. This is also the first reported case of multiple PSH in a single patient in the English literature.

Discussion

This report highlights the need for further research in establishing well defined incidence rates in order to properly discuss future surgical risks when consenting a patient for laparoscopic surgery. It is our belief that future research should be directed towards determining the risk associated with different trocar types, in the setting of various premorbid patient factors, to help surgeons decide on relevant instrument use and the most appropriate closure for port sites.

Conclusion

The growing incidence of PSH has brought about significant changes in the practice of laparoscopic surgery which behoves us as practicing clinicians to stay abreast of these changes so as to decrease the incidence of PSH.