A Parastomal Hernia (Stoma Hernia) is a weakness or protrusion in the muscle wall of the abdomen at the site of a Stoma which allows the abdominal contents to bulge out. The bulge often protrudes more when coughing or undertaking physical activity.
There are two options. One can move the stoma to a new site on the abdomen, i.e. create a new opening elsewhere and repair the hernia at the old site as one would any other hernia, or one can try to repair the hernia around the stoma, leaving the stoma where it is.
A parastomal hernia may cause some abdominal discomfort. People can describe a sense of fullness or tightness, or a heavy weight to the parastomal area that is not painful, but uncomfortable.
Symptoms of a stoma hernia can include: bulge around the area of a stoma. discomfort or pain around the stoma. feeling full or a sense of tightness in the abdomen.
Sign #1: There's a bulge in your abdomen or groin.
The first sign of a hernia is the hernia itself — that is, the bulge created by the tissue or organ. You might not even notice it, until you do something that increases the pressure within your abdomen, such as coughing, jumping, standing up or straining.
While parastomal hernias are a common complication of many ostomy surgeries, they can develop into something more serious. To avoid any long-term problems, always contact your doctor if you notice any signs of pain, discomfort, skin irritation, changes to your stoma, or problems with your pouching system.
It is common to have adhesions that fix abdominal contents within the hernia sac. This makes the hernia an incarcerated hernia. A hernia does not get better over time, nor will it go away by itself. Complications of parastomal hernias such as incarceration, strangulation and obstruction do occur.
Although a parastomal hernia may restrict you from doing certain things, you can still live a 'normal life'. Things like gentle exercise, eating and drinking well, a good stoma product system and a hernia support belt or garment can help you manage your hernia and live a normal life.
Avoid heavy lifting, heavy pushing, overstretching/reaching or fully using your abdominal muscles. Support your stoma and abdomen when you cough and sneeze. And then: Avoid gaining weight, or try to lose weight if you need to.
Background. Long standing ostomy related complications such as parastomal hernia and stoma prolapse may be at a higher risk of developing spontaneous rupture and evisceration, especially in patients suffering from chronic cough. Such patients may need early refashioning of the stoma to prevent this serious complication ...
Parastomal hernia is the most common complication in various types of stomas. It can progress almost asymptomatically, often resulting only in an abdominal deformity in the vicinity of the stoma, but in extreme cases it can lead to bowel incarceration and strangulation, thus necessitating immediate surgery.
CT scans or MRI are used to diagnose assess the extent and severity of a parastomal hernia.
Its appearance is usually asymptomatic, however, it may be associated with abdominal discomfort, pain, nausea, vomiting, obstruction, and strangulation.
The term parastomal hernia is used to describe a bulge or swelling around/under the stoma that leads to problems with stoma function and appliance security. This usually occurs gradually and the hernia may increase in size over time.
What is parastomal hernia? A hernia develops when there is a weakness in the muscle wall. A parastomal hernia can occur around the stoma and is where part of your bowel pushes through the abdominal muscle to create a swelling under the skin of the stoma, which can cause discomfort or pain.
After Surgery
Most patients go home the same day. Abdominal wall hernia repairs may require up to a two-day hospital stay due to the internal stitches and healing that is required. Expect some soreness around the surgical site during the first 24 to 48 hours following surgery.
Skin irritation around your stoma is usually caused by leakage from your ostomy pouch and the output from your stoma getting underneath the adhesive and onto your skin. It is uncomfortable and can stop your pouch from working well. The skin around your stoma should look similar to the skin on the rest of your body.
Gentle exercises such as chair yoga, walking and swimming are all suitable. Sit-ups, crunches, or any other abdominal muscle exercises must be controlled and done very carefully. In the course of exercising it might be advisable to support your stoma with a stoma belt/speciality underwear or stoma guard.
If it is left untreated, a strangulated hernia can lead to life-threatening conditions such as necrotizing enterocolitis (severe inflammation of intestine) and sepsis. Since hernias can happen to anyone at any age, knowing warning signs of hernias and being aware of them are essential.
An abdominal wall hernia is generally visible or can be felt by your surgeon. During a physical exam, your doctor will feel your groin area and testicles and ask you to cough. Coughing may make the hernia more prominent.