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Updated: Dec 10, 2025
Laparoscopic Repair of Para-Esophageal Hernia Using Absorbable Biosynthetic Mesh
Published on: September 11, 2021
Port Site Hernias Following Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair
Naila H Dhanani1, Karla Bernardi2, Oscar A Olavarria2
1Department of Surgery, Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, 5656 Kelley St, Houston, TX, 77026, USA. naila.dhanani@uth.tmc.edu.
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.
