title: Prophylactic mesh placement of permanent stomas at index operation for colorectal cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Parastomal herniation occurs in 30-50% of colostomy formations. The aim of this study was to radiologically evaluate the mechanical defects at stoma sites in patients who had previously undergone a permanent colostomy with or without mesh at the index operation for  colorectal cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A study was performed of all colorectal cancer patients (n=41) having an end colostomy between 2002 and 2010, with or without Prolene(®) mesh plication, with blinded evaluation of the annual follow-up staging computed tomography (CT) for  stomal characteristics. The presence of parastomal hernias, volume, dimensions, grade of the parastomal hernia and abdominal wall defect size were measured by two independent radiologists, and compared with demographic and operative variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In those patients with radiological  evidence of a parastomal hernia, Prolene(®) mesh plication significantly reduced the incidence of bowel containing parastomal hernias at one year following the procedure (p<0.05) and also reduced the diameter of the abdominal wall defect (p=0.006).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prophylactic mesh placement at the time of the index procedure reduces the diameter of abdominal wall aperture and the incidence of parastomal hernias containing bowel. Future studies should use both objective radiological as well as clinical endpoints when assessing parastomal hernia development  with and without prophylactic mesh.
authors.affiliation: NHS Fife, UK.
authors.forename: N T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Ventham
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Brady
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yalamarthi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Daniel
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D003125:Colostomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D046449:Hernia, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D013526:Surgical Mesh