Small bowel obstruction secondary to herniation through a
5-mm laparoscopic trocar site following laparoscopic lymphadenectomy

Incisional hernias occur in <1% of women undergoing operative laparoscopy and are mostly limited to trocar sites > or =10 mm. This is a report of a 54-year-old woman with endometrial cancer who presented with nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain 1 week following laparoscopically-assisted vaginal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and lymphadenectomy. Abdominal radiographs and computed tomography demonstrated small bowel obstruction and herniation through a 5-mm trocar site. Reduction of the hernia and closure of the fascial incision were performed at exploratory laparotomy with normal recovery. Bowel herniation can occur through 5-mm trocar sites following prolonged operative laparoscopy. The peritoneum and fascia of these incisions should be closed.