Incisional hernia risk in intracorporeal anastomosis with Pfannenstiel incision versus extracorporeal anastomosis with midline incision for laparoscopic right hemicolectomy: a multicenter comparison

Purpose Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy can be performed via intracorporeal ileocolic anastomosis (ICA) or extracorporeal ileocolic anastomosis (ECA). Prior studies have emphasized ICA’s advantages in hospital stay and postoperative pain. This multicenter study aimed to compare the 2-year incidence of incisional hernia between ICA (using a suprapubic Pfannenstiel incision) and ECA (using a pararectal incision) and assess perioperative outcomes. Methods We retrospectively analyzed patients undergoing laparoscopic right hemicolectomy between 2019 and 2020, divided into 2 groups: ICA with a Pfannenstiel incision and ECA with a pararectal incision. Results The mean operative time was longer in the ICA group (190 minutes vs. 170 minutes, P=0.004). Despite requiring advanced surgical skills and prolonged operative time, ICA was associated with superior short-term outcomes and a significantly lower incisional hernia rate compared to ECA (1.2% vs. 14.7%, P=0.044) at 24-month follow-up. Conclusion ICA is linked to longer operative times, but shorter hospital stays, fewer wound complications, and reduced incisional hernia rates compared to ECA.