Insights Into Laparoscopic Port Site Complications: A Comprehensive Review

Area of Science:

• Surgical Innovation
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Laparoscopic surgery is a widely adopted standard of care, replacing open techniques for many procedures due to technological advancements.
• Despite its benefits, laparoscopic surgery carries risks of port-site complications, including infectious, non-infective, and neoplastic issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore port-site morbidity following laparoscopic surgery.
• To identify and discuss risk factors associated with these complications.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on laparoscopic port-site complications.
• Analysis of reported complications and their associated risk factors.

Main Results:

• Port-site hernias (PSH) are most common at the umbilical site, linked to prolonged manipulation, failed fascial closure, and wound infection.
• Port-site infections (PSI) are influenced by patient factors (diabetes, malnutrition) and surgical factors (transfusions, colonization).
• Rare complications include port-site hydatid cysts, tuberculosis, endometriosis, and port-site metastasis (PSM), particularly in gynecologic procedures.

Conclusions:

• Preventing port-site hernias involves using smaller trocars and ensuring proper fascial closure.
• Preventing other complications requires strict adherence to sterilization protocols, sterile techniques, and appropriate specimen retrieval methods.
• Vigilance for rare complications like endometriosis and metastasis is essential, especially in specific patient populations.