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Unusual complications of laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair
Author(s) -
Lo Cheng Hean,
Trotter Dean,
Grossberg Peter
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
anz journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.426
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 1445-1433
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-2197.2005.03573.x
Subject(s) - medicine , subcutaneous emphysema , pneumomediastinum , pneumothorax , surgery , inguinal hernia , insufflation , hernia , laparoscopy , general surgery , pneumoperitoneum
Although complications of laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repairs are well documented, the development of pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema is rarely reported. The authors’ experience with a 23‐year‐old man who developed intraoperative bilateral pneumothoraces and cervical subcutaneous emphysema during a laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair prompted a MEDLINE literature review. Seven similar cases were found in which the patients developed pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum and/or subcutaneous emphysema following laparoscopic hernioplasty. An intercostal catheter was inserted in two out of the seven patients only. Numerous hypotheses were proposed for the development of these complications. Several authors felt that the duration of the procedure and preperitoneal insufflation pressures are related to the development of these complications. These potentially lethal complications must be diagnosed and managed promptly.