Is the trocar through which the gallbladder is removed during cholecystectomy important for potential complications?

Objective: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered the gold standard for the treatment of gallstone disease and complications can develop at trocar sites following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This study aims to evaluate the impact of extracting the gallbladder through either the umbilical or epigastric ports during laparoscopic cholecystectomy on the complications observed after gallbladder extraction. Methods: Symptomatic cholelithiasis patients who had four port laparoscopic cholecystectomy included to the study. Individuals were divided into two groups based on gallbladder removal site: umbilical or epigastric. Medical records were reviewed for post-surgical complications within 30 days and incisional hernias within one year. The age, gender, operation duration, BMI and the largest stone dimentions of the patients were also noted. Results: A total of 112 patients were included in the study, with 45 patients in the umbilical group and 67 patients in the epigastric group. No significant differences were observed in age, gender, body mass index and stone dimentions between groups. Port site hernia and port site infection developed more frequently but not significantly in umblical group. When examined the stone dimention and BMI based on the presence of a port site hernia and port site infection, BMI and stone dimention were significantly higher in port site infection and hernia patients. Conclusion: Using umbilical port for removing gallbladder, carried a higher risk of infection and hernia development. Additionally, regardless of which trocar is used, patients with a high BMI and large stone dimensions have a higher risk of port site infection and hernia. Patients should be informed about these risks during the preoperative period.