Life table analysis of hernia following end colostomy construction.
OBJECTIVE
To study the long-term hernia rate and risk factors after end colostomy construction.


METHODS
86 patients with a permanent end colostomy constructed over 5 years were examined and interviewed. There were 35 men and the mean age was 56.5 (28-87) years. Risk factors which were analysed included emergency operation, age over 60 years, obesity, steroids, cancer, infection at the stoma site, smoking and chronic obstructive airways disease.


RESULTS
Para-colostomy hernia occurred in 12/86 cases (13.9%). The cumulative recurrence rose with duration of follow up. Overall 10/45 patients (22%) over 60 years developed hernia vs. 2/41 patients (4.8%) less than 60 years (P=0.02). There were no other risk factors that correlated with para-colostomy hernia.


CONCLUSIONS
These data indicate that the incidence of colostomy related hernia increases with follow up and is significantly higher in patients over the age of 60. Other risk factors, particularly obesity and coexisting cardiorespiratory disease, have no impact.
Mylonakis
E
E
University Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK.
Scarpa
M
M
Barollo
M
M
Yarnoz
C
C
Keighley
M R
MR