The impact of sarcobesity on incisional hernia after laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery

Purpose: Incisional hernia is a common complication after abdominal surgery, especially in obese patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between sarcobesity and incisional hernia development after laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery.

Methods: In total, 262 patients who underwent laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery were included in the present study. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the independent risk factors for the development of incisional hernia. We then performed subgroup analyses to assess the impact of visceral obesity according to clinical variables on the development of incisional hernia in laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer surgery.

Results: Forty-four patients (16.8%) developed incisional hernias after laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery. In the univariate analysis, the development of incisional hernia was significantly associated with female sex (P = 0.046), subcutaneous obesity (P = 0.002), visceral obesity (P = 0.002), sarcobesity (P < 0.001), and wound infection (P < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, sarcobesity (P < 0.001) and wound infection (P < 0.001) were independent predictors of incisional hernia. In subgroup analysis, the odds ratio of visceral obesity was the highest (13.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.51-37.8, P < 0.001) in the subgroup of sarcopenia.

Conclusion: Sarcobesity may be a strong predictor of the development of incisional hernia after laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer, suggesting the importance of body composition in the development of incisional hernia.