Introduction
Trocar site hernia (TSH) is a complication of minimally invasive surgery that is often underestimated. These lesions cause patient discomfort and require surgery for their correction. Although there are some case reports for laparoscopic repair of TSH, there is data missing in the literature about this specific topic. The aim of this study is to evaluate safety and efficacy of the laparoscopic repair of TSH.
Methods
We collected data regarding 213 patients submitted to incisional hernia repair in the Department of General Surgery at Humanitas Mater Domini Clinical Institute in Italy since 2011 and 2019.
We selected the patients submitted to laparoscopic repair of a TSH with an intraperitoenal mesh. We evaluated the clinical and surgical characteristics of the patients and the following outcomes: post-operative hospitalization, complications and long-term recurrences.
Discussion
Forty-two out of 213 patients were operated for a TSH. Forty out of 42 patients (95.2%) were treated with a laparoscopic approach. Follow up: 60 months. Study group: females (62.5%), mean BMI 29.1. According to EHS (European Hernia Society) classification, 35 patients had a midline defect. In 77.5% of cases a ePTFE/PP mesh was implanted. Mean hospitalization: 2 nights. The complication rate was low (1 surgical site infection, 1 seroma and 1 hematoma), without re-intervention. We observed 2 cases of recurrence (5%) developed after 5 months and 36 months, respectively.
Conclusions
Laparoscopic repair of TSH is a safe approach, in absence of specific contraindications. Our experience suggest that a laparoscopic approach could obtain satisfying results.
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