Umbilical Port Site Hernia and Diastasis Recti

The port site hernia (PSH) is a specific type of incisional hernia related to the trocar sites of laparoscopic surgery. Diastasis recti of the abdominis muscle (DR) is the separation of the rectus muscle by a certain distance. The present study aims to present our experience with umbilical PSH and concomitant DR and to raise awareness of DR as one of the risk factors of umbilical PSH.

Eighteen patients with umbilical PSH after laparoscopic abdominal surgery, was retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative CT was analyzed to measure the Inter-recti distance (IRD) for all patients. Other factors, such as trocar size, wound infection, obesity (BMI), port extension, suture materials, and pre-existing co-morbidities, were recorded and analyzed.

Extension of the port incision was associated with umbilical PSH. Ten out of eighteen umbilical PSH patients (56%) had DR before they had first laparoscopic surgery. Nine (50%) patients showed sarcopenia. Moreover, four out of five recurrences had DR. More than two recurrences were all associated with DR.

Port extension and sarcopenia were risk factors of umbilical PSH. Also, DR might be a possible risk factor of umbilical PSH occurrence and recurrence. Surgeons should be aware of the presence of DR before the planning of the laparoscopic surgery by diagnostic imaging. If DR is associated with umbilical PSH, we need to consider the correction of both pathologies at the same time.