Comparison of the extraperitoneal and transperitoneal routes for permanent colostomy: a meta-analysis with RCTs and systematic review

To assess the efficacy of extraperitoneal colostomy (EPC) in preventing stoma-related complications.

Transperitoneal colostomy (TPC) is a widely used surgical approach. However, TPCs have been reported to have increased risks of stoma-related complications, such as parastomal hernias, stomal retraction, and stomal prolapse. The purpose of EPC is to reduce these complications. However, there is still a lack of evidence-based studies.

MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, MOOSE, PubMed, Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, and the Cochrane Library were searched to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis with RCTs. The meta-analysis was performed with RevMan 5.4 software.

This study included 5 eligible RCTs. Compared with the TPC group, the EPC group had lower incidence rates of parastomal hernias (RR, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.04-0.52, P = 0.003, I² = 0%) and stomatal prolapse (RR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.08-0.95, P = 0.04, I² = 0%), but a higher rate of defecation sensation (RR, 3.51; 95% CI, 2.47-5.0, P < 0.00001, I² = 37%). No statistically significant differences were observed in stoma retraction, colostomy construction time, stoma ischemia, or stoma necrosis.

Extraperitoneal colostomies are associated with lower rates of postoperative complications than transperitoneal colostomies. A randomized controlled trial meta-analysis found that permanent colostomies after abdominoperineal resection resulted in better outcomes.