Inguinal single-port approach of endoscopic component separation for abdominal wall defects: A case series

The component separation (CS) technique is widely used for abdominal wall defects, particularly in infected wounds. CS is associated with many wound complications due to subcutaneous blood flow disturbance. Endoscopic component separation (ECS) has fewer wound complications compared to CS and has been performed recently. However, there are various port required placements for ECS, and this technique requires proficiency. One approach for ECS is the inguinal single-port approach, which can be performed from an inguinal incision similar to that used in open surgery for inguinal hernias.

We performed ECS with an inguinal single-port approach in three older adults. All patients had abdominal wall defects with infection at the central abdominal wound site. A 2-3-cm incision was created in the middle of the inguinal ligament, and a single-port surgical device with two 5-mm trocars was placed in the incision. The external oblique muscle was separated from the internal oblique muscle, and the external oblique aponeurosis was released. The muscle flap of the abdominal wall was moved to the central line. Tension-free abdominal wall closure was possible using a one-handed approach.

ECS, which has fewer wound complications, requires proficiency. This procedure is a simple and easy-to-perform procedure using an inguinal incision that surgeons are familiar with.