Incidence and risk factors for trocar-site incisional hernia detected by clinical and ultrasound examination: a prospective observational study

Abstract

Background: Trocar site incisional hernia (TSIH) is the most frequent complication associated with laparoscopic surgery. Few studies currently describe its incidence or risk factors. The aim of this report is to determine the real inci- dence of TSIH and to identify risk factors. Methods: A cross-sectional prospective study was performed including consecutive patients who underwent a laparoscopic procedure during a 4 months period. All the patients were assessed both clinically (TSIHc) and by an ultrasonographic examination (TSIHu). The main variable studied was the incidence of TSIH. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify risk factors. Results: 76 patients were included. 27.6% of patients were clinically diagnosed as having TSIH (TSIHc) but only 23.7% of those cases were radiologically confirmed (TSIHu). In the logistic regression analysis, age>70 years (OR 3.462 CI 1.14–10.515, p = 0.028) and body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2 (OR 3.313 CI 1.037–10.588, p = 0.043) were identified as risk factors for TSIH. The size of the trocar also showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.001). Mean follow-up time was 34 months. Conclusions: TSIH is under-diagnosed due to the lack of related symptomatology and the inadequacy of the postop- erative follow-up period. We detected discrepancies between the clinical and ultrasonographic examinations. TSIHu should be considered as the gold standard for the diagnosis of TSIH. Risk factors such as age, BMI and size of the trocar were confirmed. Patients should be followed-up for a minimum of 2 years.