A new stomaplasty ring (Koring™) to prevent parastomal hernia: an observational multicenter Swiss study

Parastomal hernias (PSH) are one of the most frequent complications of enterostomies with a non-negligible complication rate and a significant socioeconomic effect. Therefore, preventing PSH by placing a mesh at the time of primary surgery has been advocated. The aim of our study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the new stomaplasty ring [Koring™, (Koring GmbH, Basel, Switzerland)] and investigate the reason why surgeons are reluctant to take preventive measures.

A multicenter observational study was conducted on 30 patients between December 2013 and January 2015. In permanent end colostomies and end ileostomies, the Koring™ was implanted. The primary outcome was the 30-day morbidity (infection and other stoma-related complications). Secondary endpoints were the technical feasibility and the time needed to fix the ring. In addition, an online survey of 107 surgeons was performed.

Twenty-seven patients received permanent end colostomies, and three received end ileostomies. No stoma-related complication was detected within the first 30 days post-operatively. The Koring™ ring was evaluated by the surgeons as easy and very easy to implant in more than half of the patients. Average additional operating time for ring implantation was 19 min.

Koring™ implantation at the time of creating the stoma is safe, easy and only adds minimally operating time. A long-term follow-up as well as a randomized controlled study is needed to evaluate the impact of the Koring™ on PSH prevention. The ease and rapidity with which Koring™ can be implanted may help surgeons to overcome their apprehension of using a preventative device.