Impact of the extraction-site location on wound infections after laparoscopic colorectal resection.

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the incision used for specimen extraction on wound infection during laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

METHODS

All patients undergoing elective laparoscopic colorectal resection in a single specialized department from 2000 to 2011 were identified from a prospectively maintained institutional database. Specific extraction-sites and other relevant factors associated with wound infection rates were evaluated with univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

2801 patients underwent specimen extraction through infra-umbilical midline (N = 657), RLQ/LLQ (N = 388), stoma site (N = 58), periumbilical midline (N = 629), Pfannenstiel (N = 789) and converted midline (N = 280). The overall wound infection rate was 10% and was highest in converted midline (14.6%) and Pfannenstiel (11.4%) incisions, while the lowest rate was associated with RLQ/LLQ (N = 13, 3.3%). Independent factors associated with wound infection were increased BMI (p < 0.001), extraction site location (p = 0.006), surgical procedure (p = 0.020, particularly left-sided colectomy and total proctocolectomy), diagnosis (p < 0.001, particularly sigmoid diverticulitis and inflammatory bowel disease), intraabdominal adhesions (p = 0.033) and intrabdominal rather than pelvic procedure (p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

A RLQ/LLQ extraction site is associated with the most reduced risk of wound infection in laparoscopic colorectal surgery.