Application of a trocar wound closure system designed for laparoscopic procedures in morbidly obese patients

Herniation into the trocar-site is a relatively common complication of laparoscopic surgery, and represents a serious cause of morbidity because of the potential to develop into a Richter's hernia. The risk of trocar-site herniation is greater in obese and bariatric patients, because of the larger preperitoneal space and elevated intra-abdominal pressure; thus, fascial closure alone is not adequate. Full-thickness trocar-wound closure can prevent this complication. However, hand suturing and some port-closure devices can be difficult to use in this patient group. We report on the use of a specialized trocar wound closure system designed for use on obese and bariatric patients. In this report, we describe use of the system in the case of a 34-year-old Caucasian female who underwent a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure.