Port site hernia: What are the risk factors?

Background & Aim: The port site hernia is a type of incisional hernia that occurs at port sites after laparoscopic surgery. Various factors have been implicated in the development of port site hernia.The aim of this study was to know the risk factors of the port site hernia.Patients & Methods: A retrospective study of patients who underwent different elective laparoscopic procedures in Rizgary Teaching Hospital in Erbil in a period from March 2013 to September 2014.Results: Out of 300 patients only 8 (2.7%) patients developed port site hernia. The time of the hernia occurrence ranged from 3 weeks to six months postoperatively. Half of the hernias were found in cases of age group (60-80) years. Six (75%) of the cases were female patients. All 8 hernias developed after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Six (75%) hernias developed after open port entrance technique. All hernias occurred when the fascia in 10 mm port was not closed. Seven hernias (87.5%) occurred in patients with BMI ranged (25-34).Conclusion: Age of the patients, technique of entrance, site and size of the port with unclosed fascial layer are important factors for developing port site hernia.