Laparoscopic parastomal hernia repair using a nonslit mesh technique

Background: The management of parastomal hernia is associated with high morbidity and recurrence rates (20-70%). This study investigated a novel laparoscopic approach and evaluated its outcomes. Methods: A consecutive multi-institutional series of patients undergoing parastomal hernia repair between 2001 and 2005 were analyzed retrospectively. Laparoscopy was used with modification of the open Sugarbaker technique. A nonslit expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) mesh was placed to provide 5-cm overlay coverage of the stoma and defect. Transfascial sutures secured the mesh, allowing the stoma to exit from the lateral edge. Five advanced laparoscopic surgeons performed all the procedures. The primary outcome measure was hernia recurrence. Results: A total of 25 patients with a mean age of 60 years and a body mass index of 29 kg/m² underwent surgery. Six of these patients had undergone previous mesh stoma revisions. The mean size of the hernia defect was 64 cm², and the mean size of the mesh was 365 cm². There were no conversions to open surgery. The overall postoperative morbidity was 23%, and the mean hospital length of stay was 3.3 days. One patient died of pulmonary complications; one patient had a trocar-site infection; and one patient had a mesh infection requiring mesh removal. During a median follow-up period of 19 months (range, 2-38 months), 4% (1/25) of the patients experienced recurrence. Conclusion: On the basis of this large case series, the laparoscopic nonslit mesh technique for the repair of parastomal hernias seems to be a promising approach for the reduction of hernia recurrence in experienced hands.