What is a hernia?
A hernia is a weakness in the wall of an organ that results in the contents of that organ pushing through the weak spot. When it occurs in the abdomen, it is called an abdominal hernia.
What is a stoma hernia?
A stoma hernia is a complex abdominal hernia that occurs around either an ileostomy or colostomy. It is also known as a parastomal hernia.
When a stoma is created, it is brought out through an opening in the abdominal wall. As a result, an area of weakness is present in the abdominal wall. Over time in some people, the muscles pull away from the stoma leading to hernia formation.
How do stoma hernias present?
Some stoma hernias do not initially present with symptoms. However, as they enlarge over time, they tend to become more symptomatic. They present as a bulge at the ostomy site; pain/discomfort at the affected site; difficulty in applying the ostomy appliance. A stoma hernia is also occasionally associated with an ostomy prolapse. In some instances, bowel contents may be in the hernia and could get trapped in the hernia. This can lead to strangulation and necrosis of the affected bowel which is potentially life-threatening.
How are stoma hernias treated?
Definitive treatment of a stoma hernia requires surgery. Stoma hernia surgery usually entails either repair of the hernia or relocation of the ostomy. The option used depends on multiple factors.
The surgeries are carried out either using the traditional “open” surgery techniques or minimally invasive techniques (laparoscopic or robotic-assisted).
Robotic hernia surgery refers to the surgical management of hernias using the assistance of the da Vinci robot as a minimally invasive tool. The da Vinci Robot provides a 3D high-definition view of the hernia. This repair has been found to be associated with less pain and an earlier return to work compared to traditional hernia operations.
We at Texas Colon and Pilonidal Clinic, prefer to use robotic-assisted / laparoscopic-assisted techniques to repair stoma hernias. However, not every hernia can be treated using a minimally invasive technique for various reasons. Your surgeon will guide you in this decision.