Parastomal hernia: is prevention better than cure? Use of preperitoneal polypropylene mesh at the time of stoma formation

Background This is a prospective study of prophylactic mesh placement in the preperitoneal space at the time of stoma formation to prevent parastomal hernia. Methods Patients undergoing elective permanent stoma formation and resiting of a stoma were included. Patients with peritoneal contamination were excluded. A 6×6-cm polypropylene mesh was placed in the preperitoneal space (no stitches), and a circular hole was made to let the bowel come through with ease and the stoma was constructed. At follow-up, the patients were examined standing and lying down for parastomal hernia. In the event of clinical uncertainty, a CT scan was done. Results A total of 42 patients (20 women, 22 men, mean age 61 years) were eligible for the study. The patients were followed up for a mean of 31 months (range 9–68 months). There were 29 end-colostomies and 8 end-ileostomies and 5 stomas resited. Four parastomal hernias were detected during the follow-up period (9.52%). One required repair due to an ill-fitting stoma bag and leakage. The other three were asymptomatic. One patient developed stomal necrosis which required a new segment of bowel to be brought out through the same opening and the underlying mesh was left undisturbed. Conclusions The results of the 2-year follow-up in this study (incidence of parastomal herniation 9.5%) along with available evidence in the literature (incidence 0–8.3%), compared to the results of repair make a strong case for the use of a mesh at the time of initial surgery for the formation of any permanent stoma to prevent parastomal herniation.