Randomized, controlled, prospective trial of the use of a mesh to prevent parastomal hernia.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of terminal parastomal hernia (PH) after colostomy placement may be as high as 50%. The effect of the PH may range from discomfort to life-threatening complications. Surgical procedures for repairing PH are difficult to perform and present a high-failure rate.

OBJECTIVE: To reduce the incidence of PH by implanting a lightweight mesh in the sublay position.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Randomized, controlled, prospective study. Patients were scheduled for permanent end colostomy surgery to treat cancer of the lower third of the rectum, performed by the same colorectal surgery team. An Ultrapro lightweight mesh was inserted in the sublay position in the study group. Using simple randomization, the sample size required was estimated to be 27 per group. Patients were followed-up clinically and radiologically with abdominal computed tomography by an independent clinician and a radiologist who were all blind to the aims of the study, 1 month and every 6 months after surgery.

RESULTS: : The groups were homogeneous in terms of their clinical and demographic characteristics. Surgical time and postoperative morbidity were similar in the 2 groups. Mortality was 0. No mesh intolerance was reported. In the clinical follow-up (median: 29 months, range: 13-49), 11/27 (40.7%) hernias were recorded in the control group compared with 4/27 (14.8%) in the study group (P = 0.03). Abdominal computed tomography identified 14/27 (44.4%) hernias in the control group compared with 6/27 (22.2%) in the study group (P = 0.08).

CONCLUSIONS: Parastomal placement of a mesh reduces the appearance of PH. The technique is safe, well-tolerated, and does not increase morbidity rates.