A Multicenter Questionnaire-Based Investigation of Trocar Insertion, Wound Closure, and Intraoperative Complications in Gynecologic Surgical Laparoscopy

Abstract

Objective: To assess current trends in laparoscopic surgery, involving trocar insertion and wound closure.
Design: Postquestionnaire survey.
Setting: A consortium of 64 hospitals belonging to the Japanese Society of Gynecologic and Obstetric Endoscopy and Minimally Invasive Therapy (JSGOE).
Patient(s): None
Intervention(s): None.
Main outcome, Measure(s): Common clinical practices.
Result(s): To assess procedural safety, the author issued a multicenter questionnaire directed at expert gynecologic laparoscopists authorized by the JSGOE. We received 64 completed surveys (a 59% response). Acknowledged differences in trochar insertion and wound closure, as in previous reports, were associated with rare intraoperative complications, such as rupture of larger blood vessels and intestines, trocar site bleeding/infection, and port-site hernia. The questionnaire also revealed strategies for prevention, formulated by those having experienced these complications.
Conclusion(s): Laparoscopic surgical complications are largely attributable to trocar insertion. The body of preventive measures contributed by respondents to our questionnaire is therefore worthy of note, in order to increase the relative safety of this procedure.