Laparoscopic Port-Site Hernia: An Underrecognized Iatrogenic Complication of Laparoscopic Surgery

Port-site hernia is an iatrogenic complication with a documented incidence between 0.65% and 2.8%. However, the true incidence could be higher because of delayed onset, asymptomatic nature, and loss to follow-up. Port-site hernia could be further complicated by incarceration or strangulation leading to small bowel obstruction requiring emergent surgical intervention, thus imposing significant financial and emotional burden to patients.

This article aims to provide a summary of the available literature concerning port-site hernia and explore preventive strategies for future clinical practice.

This review was formulated through electronic literature searches in Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The reference lists of the included studies were hand searched to identify other relevant articles to capture all available literature in this narrative review.

Following screening for eligibility based on relevance to the topic under consideration, 28 studies were identified. This included 5 original articles, 1 case series, and 22 review articles, including 4 systematic reviews. Included studies were critically appraised in formulating this review.

Port-site hernia is an underrecognized yet preventable complication with careful consideration of predisposing technical and host factors, thorough attention to surgical technique, or use of a fascial closure device.

With the widespread and increasing use of laparoscopic methods to treat surgical pathologies, knowledge of this complication is imperative to encourage prevention strategies and facilitate early recognition and management should it occur.