The Turnbull loop stoma.

The stoma is the weak link of external urinary diversion. Improper stomal position or configuration produces the unnecessary burden of leakage for the patient with diversion. Stomal bleeding, incrustation and peristomal dermatitis cause inconvenience and expense. Stomal stenosis is the most common reason for repeat operation of an ileal conduit. The Turnbull loop stoma obviates many of these problems. We have performed 100 urinary diversions using this stoma with minimal stomal complications and no episodes of stomal stenosis from 1 to 7 years postoperatively. The significant complication has been parastomal hernia. Minor modifications of the technique have lowered the incidence of hernia. Loop stomas are our principal form of stomal construction.