Ultrasound-Guided Enteropexy for Repair of Ostomy Prolapse

Enterostomies provide fecal diversion for numerous conditions, but anatomical complications-prolapse, stricture, and retraction-occur in up to 25%. Given up to 76% of these complications require surgical intervention, effective minimally invasive repair techniques for their management are needed. This article describes a new technique for prolapse repair utilizing image-guided surgery for incisionless repair of ostomy prolapse. To perform the procedure, the prolapsed bowel is reduced and evaluated for feasibility for ultrasound repair. Under direct ultrasound guidance sutures are used to pexy the bowel loop to the overlying fascia. Sutures are tied with knots and sutures buried below the skin to securely tack the bowel to the abdominal wall. Four patients aged 2-10 years underwent ultrasound-guided enteropexy for repair of major prolapse of an end ileostomy (2 patients), loop colostomy, and end colostomy. All patients remained free of major prolapse for 3-10 months after the procedure, 2 of whom have progressed to ostomy takedown without complications. Ultrasound-guided enteropexy is a noninvasive effective way to manage ostomy prolapse.