Experiences with a prophylactic mesh in 93 consecutive ostomies.

BACKGROUND

Parastomal hernia may be present in half of patients after one year. A prophylactic low-weight prosthetic mesh in a sublay position at the index operation reduces the risk of parastomal hernia, without increasing the rate of complications.

MATERIAL

Between April 2003 and November 2006 all patients with an ostomy created at an open laparotomy were followed for at least one year.

RESULTS

A prophylactic mesh was used in 75 of 93 patients. In 9 a prophylactic mesh could not be placed due to scarring after previous surgery. In 9 a mesh was omitted after surgeon's decision. In 19 patients a mesh was used in severely contaminated wounds. With a mesh 6 of 73 (8%) patients developed a surgical site infection and without a mesh 4 of 15 (27%). With a mesh parastomal hernia was present in 8 of 61 (13%) patients and without a mesh in 8 of 12 (67%).

CONCLUSIONS

Creating a stoma in routine open surgery a prophylactic mesh can be placed in most patients. A mesh does not increase the rate of complications and can be used in severely contaminated wounds.