Parastomal gallbladder herniation: A case report and review of the literature

Parastomal hernia is a common complication of patients living with an enterostomy. However, a parastomal hernia involving the gallbladder is a rare condition with only eight cases documented in the literature.

We report the case of a 69-year old female who underwent an open right hemicolectomy with creation of a colostomy and terminal ileostomy. She presented with parastomal swelling and pain 16 months later. A computed tomography scan revealed a parastomal herniation of the gallbladder. We elected to proceed with a cholecystectomy and hernia repair, the patient was asymptomatic at her last follow-up.

A systematic search of the literature found eight previously published cases. This condition primarily affects elderly females. Five patients were treated surgically and three conservatively, all with a favorable outcome. In frail patients without complicating factors, a conservative treatment approach with surveillance may be safe. We chose a surgical approach due to the symptomatic nature of the presentation and the gallstone containing hernia. This is the first case of a parastomal gallbladder herniation containing a large gallstone.

This report should help broadening the physician's differential diagnosis in dealing with patients with symptomatic parastomal hernias and provide an example for diagnosis and management of this complication.