Incisional bowel herniations after operative laparoscopy: a series of nineteen cases and review of the literature

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of this report were (1) to identify all cases of incisional bowel herniations noted after operative laparoscopy in 11 participating institutions and (2) to report the clinical details of such patients.

Study design: A retrospective case review was performed.

Results: Nineteen cases of incisional bowel herniation were identified. The average age of the patients was 50.5 years. Initial laparoscopic procedures varied and included laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (six patients), laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy with lymphadenectomy (five patients), oophorectomy (two patients), adhesiolysis (two patients), myomectomy (two patients), lymphadenectomy alone (one patient), and ovarian cystectomy (one patient). The average time to reoperation was 8.5 days.

Conclusions: Incisional bowel herniation is a serious complication of operative laparoscopy. Herniations occur through ports > or = mm in size at both umbilical and extraumbilical sites. New techniques are needed to avoid this serious complication.