Robotic trocar site small bowel evisceration after gynecologic cancer surgery

Trocar site hernia is a known, rare complication after laparoscopic surgery. We describe a case of bowel herniation, evisceration, and bowel obstruction through an 8-mm robotic port site.

A 67-year-old patient with endometrial cancer underwent an uncomplicated robotic hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and pelvic and aortic lymphadenectomy. Four days later, she presented with symptoms of a small bowel obstruction and was found to have evisceration through a laterally placed 8-mm robotic port site. The bowel was reduced locally and the fascial defect repaired without midline laparotomy or bowel resection.

Bowel herniation can occur through the fascial defect after placement of an 8-mm robotic port. Continued reporting is needed to accurately gauge the occurrence of this complication.