OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to determine the incidence of incisional hernias after operative laparoscopy.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective case review was performed.

RESULTS

The frequency of incisional hernias at extraumbilical 10 and 12 mm trocar insertion sites was one in 429 (0.23%) cases and five in 161 (3.1%) cases, respectively; the difference is statistically significant (p = 0.007, Fisher's exact test). Incisional hernias were also significantly more common if the fascia was left open (p = 0.021), although three of the five hernias at 12 mm trocar sites occurred after attempted closure of the underlying fascia.

CONCLUSION

The underlying fascia should be closed whenever a 10 mm or larger trocar is placed at an extraumbilical site during laparoscopy. The peritoneum may also require closure at 12 mm trocar sites if the trocar is placed through, rather than lateral to, the rectus sheath.