Incidence of port site hernias and/or dehiscence in robotic-assisted procedures in gynecologic oncology patients

A case report and review of the literature of 7-millimeter lateral port-site herniation following total laparoscopic hysterectomy

Port-site herniation (PSH) is a rare complication observed postlaparoscopic surgery, typically associated with port sizes of 10 mm or larger, commonly occurred at umbilicus. While occurrences of extra-umbilicus with port size smaller than 10 mm are rare, we present a case detailing a lateral 7 mm PSH diagnosed on the 8th day following a total laparoscopic hysterectomy. The patient exhibited clinical symptoms indicative of partial small bowel obstruction, which became apparent on the third postoperative day. Computed tomography revealed significant small bowel dilatation and herniation through the previously employed 7 mm trocar site. Notably, this trocar site had been utilized with uterine screw. Prompt laparoscopic repair successfully addressed the herniation. The patient demonstrated satisfactory recovery and was subsequently discharged. While current practice recommends fascial incision closure for port size ≥10 mm. In light of our case, we propose considering fascial closure for small-size trocar subjected to any use of a manipulator.

Acute Presentation of Port Site Hernia Following Robot-Assisted Hysterectomy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Port site hernia (PSH) has been reported following both laparoscopic and robotic surgery. Subsequent surgical intervention increases postoperative morbidity. We report the case of a PSH through the 8-mm trocar following robot-assisted hysterectomy in a 49-year-old female patient, along with a review of the literature. The case was performed with the standard protocol; however, increased intraoperative bleeding was encountered from right uterine artery and vein. Discharged at 48 h, she presented in emergency on the fourth postoperative day with acute intestinal obstruction. Computed tomography scan showed herniation of the jejunal loop through the 8-mm left-sided port. She underwent resection and anastomosis of the necrosed jejunal loop. We review the literature for PSH following robotic gynecological surgeries. Although rare, PSH requires surgical intervention, increasing the postoperative morbidity. Need for fascial closure of 8 mm ports should be considered. High index of suspicion and early recognition can avoid resection of the bowel loop.

Does closure of fascia, type, and location of trocar influence occurrence of port site hernias? A literature review

BACKGROUND

Since the introduction of laparoscopic surgery, it has become more popular with many advantages over open surgery including faster recovery, shorter hospital stays, and decreased tissue trauma. Despite its benefits, laparoscopic surgery can result in its own unique complications, such as the formation of a trocar site hernia (TSH), which have been reported in approximately 0-1.0% of laparoscopic cases when using non-bladed trocars.

METHODS

A literature review was performed from June 1990 to June 2019. PubMed was searched using the keywords "laparoscopic surgery," "trocar site hernia," and "port site hernia." Only articles in English were identified but not limited to the USA.

RESULTS

The total number of patients in all articles was 18,533 with a mean follow-up period of 22.50 ± 1.76 months. The overall trocar site hernia rate was 0.104%. When comparing open vs. closed ports, there was no significant difference in the hernia incidence rate for 5-mm and 10-mm ports. When comparing bladed versus non-bladed trocars left open, there was a statistically significant difference with lower hernia incidence rates for non-bladed trocars over bladed trocars for 5-mm, 10-mm, and 12-mm ports. And when comparing trocar location from midline versus off-midline, there was a statistically significant higher TSH incidence in midline trocar locations.

CONCLUSION

Results suggest that TSH rate is lower when using non-bladed trocars for any size of trocar. When comparing whether fascial closure had an effect, the 5-mm and 10-mm ports had no difference in incidence rates and leaving the fascia open can reduce operative time, risk of needlestick injuries, and overall procedural cost. In addition, trocars at midline locations resulted in higher TSH incidence rates. Future research is still needed to assess for other factors that may influence hernia formation and how it can be minimized.

Incidence of acute postoperative robotic port-site hernias: results from a high-volume multispecialty center

Fascial closure at 8-mm robotic port sites continues to be controversial. As the use of the robotic platform increases across multiple abdominal specialties, there are more case reports describing reoperation and small bowel resection for acute port-site hernias. A retrospective review of all robotic abdominal surgeries performed from 2012 to 2019 at NYU Langone Medical Center was conducted. Patients who had a reoperation in our facility within 30 days were identified, and medical records reviewed for indications for reoperation and findings. The study included 11,566 patients, of which 82 patients (0.71%) underwent a reoperation related to the index robotic surgery within 30 days. Fifteen of 11,566 patients (0.13%) had acute port-site hernias, and 3 of these 15 patients required small bowel resection. Eleven of 15 acute port-site hernias (73%) were at 8-mm robotic port site, 2 of which required a small bowel resection. More than a third of the patients had a hernia at an 8-mm port site where a surgical drain had been placed. Considering that each robotic case, regardless of specialty, has three ports at a minimum, the true incidence of acute postoperative robotic port-site hernia is 0.032% (11/34,698), with the incidence of concomitant small bowel resection being 0.006% (2/34,698). The incidence of acute port-site hernias from 8-mm robotic ports is exceedingly low across specialties. Our results do not support routine fascial closure at 8-mm robotic port sites due to an extremely low incidence. However, drain sites require special consideration.

Port site hernias following robotic colorectal surgery in people with obesity

Port site hernias are a rare complication following robotic surgery that can result in disastrous outcomes. We describe incarcerated port site hernias in two patients with obesity. Both patients required laparoscopic reduction. Following laparoscopic reduction, one patient's postoperative course was complicated by pneumatosis intestinalis, requiring exploratory laparotomy and subsequent small bowel resection. It is standard practice to not close the fascia of port sites less than 12 mm in robotic surgery. However, this allows for the rare possibility of small bowel herniation through the port site. We suggest that our patients' history of obesity and metabolic dysfunction contributed to difficult port retention during the case, and longer operating times which caused an increased amount of torque at the port site. Additionally, compared with laparoscopic surgery, robotic surgery is associated with increased torque at port sites. The combination of these risk factors extended the fascial defect, ultimately leading to the incarceration of small bowel in the port site.

Trocar site hernia development in patients undergoing robotically assisted or standard laparoscopic staging surgery for endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVES

To compare the incidence and potential risk factors of trocar site hernia formation in women undergoing robotically assisted versus standard laparoscopic staging (RBT vs. LSC, respectively) for endometrial cancer.

METHODS

We retrospectively identified all patients who underwent MIS staging for endometrial cancer at our institution from 01/09-12/12. Data collection involved the review of all operative notes, postoperative follow-up visit notes, and postoperative imaging reports. Appropriate statistical tests were used.

RESULTS

We identified 760 eligible patients (LSC, 193; RBT, 567). The overall median age was 61years (range, 33-90). The median BMI was 28.5kg/m² for LSC (range, 16.6-67.6) and 29.5kg/m² for RBT (range, 17.9-66) patients (p=0.8). A trocar site hernia developed in 16 patients (2.1%)-5 (2.6%) of 193 LSC and 11 (1.9%) of 567 RBT patients (p=0.6). Median time to hernia diagnosis was 13months (range, 5-20.5) and 18months (range, 3-49), respectively (p=0.5). All hernias in the LSC cohort developed at the camera trocar site. In the RBT cohort, 10 developed at the camera trocar site and 1 at a lateral trocar site. Only BMI was associated with the development of hernias. A hernia was diagnosed in 7 (6.9%) of 101 patients with a BMI ≥40kg/m² compared with 9 (1.4%) of 659 with a BMI <40kg/m² (p=0.001).

CONCLUSION

MIS for endometrial cancer is associated with a low rate of trocar site hernia formation, with similar rates associated with RBT and standard LSC. Higher BMI is associated with the development of postoperative trocar site hernias.

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

BACKGROUND

The impact of laparoscopy on the prevalence of incisional hernias remains unclear. The aim of this study is to determine (1) surgeon perceptions of port-site hernias (PSHs), (2) the true incidence of PSH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A survey on PSH was given to determine the surgeon-reported rate of PSH. A literature review was performed for studies with a primary outcome of PSH. Studies were evaluated using checklists, and scores were used to compare risk of bias. Risk of bias was graphed against PSH incidence.

RESULTS

From 38 surgeons surveyed, the surgeon perceived rate of PSH was a median (range) of 0.5% (0% to 5%) for ports ≤5 mm, 5% (0.1% to 20%) for ports extended, and 5% (0.1% to 40%) for ports ≥10 mm. Thirty studies showed a PSH rate from 0% to 39.3%. Higher quality studies reported higher rates of PSH.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgeons underestimate the incidence of PSH, but high-quality literature suggests that it may be nearly 40%.

Herniation formation in women undergoing robotically assisted laparoscopy or laparotomy for endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

To compare the incidence of trocar site hernia in women who underwent robotically assisted laparoscopic surgery (RBT) for endometrial cancer staging with the incidence of ventral hernia formation in patients who underwent laparotomy (LAP) for the same indication. To analyze risk factors for hernia formation in women undergoing RBT for endometrial cancer.

METHODS

We retrospectively identified all patients who underwent surgical staging for endometrial cancer via RBT or LAP from 2009-2012. Clinicopathologic data were analyzed. Appropriate statistical tests were used.

RESULTS

738 patients were staged via RBT (n=567) or LAP (n=171). Overall median age was 61 years (RBT range, 33-90; LAP range,28-86; p=0.4). Median BMI was 29.5 kg/m(2) (range, 17.9-66) and 30.3 kg/m(2) (range, 16.8-67.2), respectively (p=1.0). Eleven (1.9%) of 567 patients in the RBT cohort developed a trocar site hernia compared with 11 (6.4%) of 171 LAP patients who developed a ventral hernia (p=0.002). Median time to diagnosis was 18 months (range, 3-49) and 17 months (range, 7-30), respectively (p=0.7). Of the 11 RBT patients who developed a trocar site hernia, 10 (91%) were midline defects and 1 (9%) was a lateral defect of a prior inferior epigastric port site. No hernias required emergent operative intervention. Four (0.7%) of 567 RBT patients compared with 2 (1.2%) of 171 LAP patients required surgical hernia repair (p=0.4).

CONCLUSIONS

Trocar site herniation after RBT staging for endometrial cancer is uncommon and less likely to occur than ventral hernia formation with LAP staging. Furthermore, surgical revision rates are low.

Perioperative complications of robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery using three robotic arms at a single institution

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate perioperative complications of robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery in gynecology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients who underwent elective robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery between February 2006 and December 2013 were identified. Robotic procedures were performed using the da Vinci robotic system. Patient demographic data and operative outcomes were prospectively collected in a computerized database and extracted for this study.

RESULTS

Two hundred and ninety eight patients were identified during the study period. One case was converted to conventional laparoscopy due to mechanical failure of the robot system before the procedure and excluded from review. The median age and body mass index of patients were 48 years and 23.0 kg/m², respectively. The majority (n=130, 43.6%) of operative procedures was radical hysterectomy, followed by endometrial cancer staging (n=112, 37.6%), total hysterectomy (n=39, 13.1%), and myomectomy (n=17, 5.7%). The median operative time, estimated blood loss, and postoperative hospital stay were 208.5 min, 184.8 mL, and 8.9 days, respectively. The overall complication rate was 18.8% and that for only oncologic cases was 16.1%. Intraoperative complications (n=5, 1.7%) consisted of three vessel injuries, one bowel content leakage during an appendectomy during endometrial cancer staging and one case of bladder injury during radical hysterectomy. Early and late postoperative complications were 14.4% and 2.7%, respectively. Five patients (1.7%) experienced grade 3 complications according to Clavien-Dindo classification and therefore needed further intervention.

CONCLUSION

Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery is a feasible approach in gynecology with acceptable complications.