Initial and recurrent management of parastomal hernia after cystectomy and ileal conduit urinary diversion: a 10 year single-center experience.

Objective: The management of parastomal hernia following cystectomy and ileal conduit diversion is challenging due to its specific nature and a high recurrence rate, yet is poorly described.

Methods: We retrospectively searched the clinical data warehouse of our center for patients who had primary parastomal hernia repair following cystectomy and ileal conduit diversion. The primary endpoint was recurrence of parastomal hernia; secondary endpoints were postoperative complications and surgical management of recurrences.

Results: From January 1st 2012 to January 1st 2022, 35 patients were included in the study, 13 patients (37.1%) were operated with the Keyhole technique and 22 patients (62.9%) with the Sugarbaker technique. The median follow-up was 24 months. The main complication was urinary tract infection, in 6 patients (17.4%). Postoperative complications were severe in 4 patients (11.4%), 3 (8.6%) for prosthesis extraction due to infection. Ninety-day mortality was null. Eight patients (22.9%) had a symptomatic recurrence of parastomal hernia leading to a second surgery, 4 patients (30.7%) in the Keyhole group and 4 patients (18.2%) in the Sugarbaker group. Surgical management of recurrences involved repair without synthetic mesh in 4 patients (50%) due to difficult adhesiolysis, leading to a third surgery for 3 patients (37.5%).

Conclusions: The high rates of recurrence observed with the Keyhole technique, in particular, but also with the Sugarbaker technique, suggest that these techniques should no longer be used for the repair of parastomal hernia after ileal conduit urinary diversion. New preventive and curative approaches need to be explored to improve the surgical management of parastomal hernia.