Purpose: Incisional hernia is a major complication after stoma closure and can cause uncomfortable symptoms. In this study, we evaluated the risk factors for hernia formation with the aim of reducing the incidence of incisional hernia.
Methods: A total of 134 oncology patients underwent closure of a temporary loop ileostomy between May 2004 and December 2013. The incidence of incisional hernia was determined by routine follow-up computed tomography scanning every 6 months. The relationships between patients' characteristics, including age, sex, obesity, diabetes mellitus, surgical site infection, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, hypoalbuminemia, smoking, and presence of a midline hernia and the occurrence of incisional hernia were retrospectively evaluated.
Results: The median follow-up time was 47 months (range 8-130). Hernias occurred in 23.9% of patients (32/134). The median time to detection of hernias was 8 months (range 2-39). The Chi-squared test revealed significant differences in obesity (P = 0.0003), hypertension (P = 0.0057), and incisional hernia history (P = 0.0000) between patients with and without incisional hernia. Multivariable analysis and univariate analysis revealed that hypertension and the presence of midline incisional hernia were risk factors for incisional hernia.
Conclusions: Hypertension and the presence of a midline incisional hernia were the major risk factors for incisional hernia after loop ileostomy closure. These risk factors can be addressed before planning surgery.
Keywords: Hernia; Incisional hernia; Loop ileostomy; Stoma closure; Stoma site hernia.