Risk factors for the development of parastomal hernia after radical cystectomy

Parastomal hernia is a frequent complication of stoma formation after radical cystectomy. We determined the prevalence and risk factors for the development of parastomal hernia after radical cystectomy.

We conducted a retrospective study of 433 consecutive patients who underwent open radical cystectomy and ileal conduit between 2006 and 2010. Postoperative cross-sectional imaging studies performed for routine oncologic followup (1,736) were evaluated for parastomal hernia, defined as radiographic evidence of protrusion of abdominal contents through the abdominal wall defect created by forming the stoma. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses were used to determine clinical and surgical factors associated with parastomal hernia.

Complete data were available for 386 patients with radiographic parastomal hernia occurring in 136. The risk of a parastomal hernia developing was 27% (95% CI 22, 33) and 48% (95% CI 42, 55) at 1 and 2 years, respectively. Clinical diagnosis of parastomal hernia was documented in 93 patients and 37 were symptomatic. Of 16 patients with clinical parastomal hernia referred for repair 8 had surgery. On multivariable analysis female gender (HR 2.25; 95% CI 1.58, 3.21; p<0.0001), higher body mass index (HR 1.08 per unit increase; 95% CI 1.05, 1.12; p<0.0001) and lower preoperative albumin (HR 0.43 per gm/dl; 95% CI 0.25, 0.75; p=0.003) were significantly associated with parastomal hernia.

The overall risk of radiographic evidence of parastomal hernia approached 50% at 2 years. Female gender, higher body mass index and lower preoperative albumin were most associated with the development of parastomal hernia. Identifying those at greatest risk may allow for prospective surgical maneuvers at the time of initial surgery, such as placement of prophylactic mesh in selected patients, to prevent the occurrence of parastomal hernia.