Reversal of stoma with biosynthetic mesh fascial reinforcement: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

Temporary stoma formation remains a common part of modern-day colorectal surgical operations. At the time of reversal, a second procedure is required when the bowel is anastomosed and the musculature is closed. The rate of incisional hernia at these sites is 30%-35% with conventional suture closure. Mesh placement at this site is therefore an attractive option to reduce hernia risk, particularly as new mesh types, such as biosynthetic meshes, are available. The aim of this work was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the use of mesh for prophylaxis of incisional hernia at stoma closure and to explore the outcome measures used by each of the included studies to establish whether they are genuinely patient-centred.

METHOD

This is a systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the published literature regarding the use of mesh at stoma site closure operations. Comprehensive literature searches of major electronic databases were performed by an information specialist. Screening of search results was undertaken using standard systematic review principles. Data from selected studies were input into an Excel file. Meta-analysis of the results of included studies was conducted using RevMan software (v.5.4). Randomized controlled trial (RCT) and non-RCT data were analysed separately.

RESULTS

Eleven studies with a total of 2008 patients were selected for inclusion, with various mesh types used. Of the included studies, one was a RCT, seven were nonrandomized comparative studies and three were case series. The meta-analysis of nonrandomized studies shows that the rate of incisional hernia was lower in the mesh reinforcement group compared with the suture closure group (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.12-0.37) while rates of infection and haematoma/seroma were similar between groups (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.41-1.21 and OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.63-1.80, respectively). The results of the RCT were in line with those of the nonrandomized studies.

CONCLUSION

Current evidence indicates that mesh is safe and reduces incisional hernia. However, this is not commonly adopted into current clinical practice and the literature has minimal patient-reported outcome measures. Future work should explore the reasons for such slow adoption as well as the preferences of patients in terms of outcome measures that matter most to them.

Effect of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy on Surgical Site Infections following Stoma Reversal in Colorectal Surgery: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Surgical site infections (SSI) are common complications after surgery, which cause other complications and increase medical costs. However, the effect of negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for the prevention of SSI at stoma reversal remains inconclusive, with controversial results. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of NPWT following stoma reversal in colorectal surgery to prevent SSI and other wound complications.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic search of the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases for articles published up to July 2022 and identified relevant studies reporting the NPWT administration following stoma reversal in colorectal surgery compared with non-pressure dressing. The primary outcome was the incidence of SSI, and the secondary outcomes were hematoma, seroma, and length of hospital stay (LOS).

RESULTS

Nine studies were included in the meta-analysis, with 825 patients with (n = 310) or without (n = 515) NPWT. Pooled SSI rate was lower in the NPWT group than in the non-pressure dressing group (OR = 0.50; 95% CI: 0.29, 0.84; P = 0.01). There was no significant effect on hematoma (OR = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.03, 1.27; P = 0.09), seroma (OR = 0.26; 95% CI: 0.05, 1.28; P = 0.1) and LOS (MD = -0.16, 95% CI: -0.83, 0.51; P = 0.64).

CONCLUSION

The use of NPWT following stoma reversal in colorectal surgery reduced the incidence of SSI. However, this conclusion needs to be interpreted with caution, and further studies should be conducted to confirm in higher-quality RCTs.

Costs Related to Diverting Ileostomy After Rectal Cancer Surgery: A Population-Based Healthcare Cost Analysis Based on Nationwide Registers

Low anterior resection for rectal cancer often includes a diverting loop-ileostomy to avoid the severe consequences of anastomotic leakage. Reversal of the stoma is often delayed, which can incur health-care costs on different levels. The aim is to, on population basis, determine stoma-related costs, and to investigate habitual and socioeconomic factors associated to the level of cost. Multi-register design with data from the Swedish Rectal Cancer Registry, the National Prescribed Drug Register, Statistics Sweden and cost-administrative data from the National Board of Health and Welfare. Data was gathered for 3564 patients with rectal cancer surgery 2007 to 2013, for 3 years following the surgery. Factors influencing the cost of inpatient care and stoma-related consumables were assessed with linear regression analyses. All monthly costs were higher for females (consumables P < .001 and in-patient care P = .031). Post-secondary education (P = .003) and younger age (P = .020) was associated with a higher cost for consumables while suffering a surgical complication was associated with increased cost for inpatient care (P < .001). Patients who had their stoma longer had lower monthly costs (consumables P < .001 and in-patient care P < .001). Female gender, longer duration of stoma, young age, and higher education are associated with higher costs for the care of a diverting stoma after rectal cancer surgery. This study does not allow for analyses of causality but the results together with deepened analyses of underlying reasons form a proper basis for decisions in health care planning and allocation of resources. These findings may have implications on the debate of equal care for all.

Incidence and risk factors of delayed development for stoma site incisional hernia after ileostomy closure in patients undergoing colorectal surgery with temporary ileostomy

BACKGROUND

Stoma site incisional hernias after ileostomy closure are complex hernias that can be associated with abdominal pain, discomfort, and a diminished quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of incisional hernia (IH) following temporary ileostomy reversal in patients undergoing colorectal surgery, and the risk factors associated with its development.

METHODS

This was a prospective, single-centre, cohort study of patients undergoing ileostomy reversal between January 2010 and December 2016. Comorbidities, operative characteristics, comparison between early and late ileostomy closure and postoperative complications were analysed.

RESULTS

A total of 202 consecutive patients were prospectively evaluated (median follow-up 46 months; range: 12-109). Stoma site incisional hernia occurred in 23% of patients (n = 47), diagnosed by physical examination or imaging tests. The reasons for the primary surgery were colorectal cancer (n = 141, 69.8%), inflammatory bowel disease (n = 14, 6.9%), emergency surgery (n = 35, 17.3%), and other conditions (n = 12, 5.9%). Secondary outcomes: a statistically significant risk factors for developing an IH was obesity (higher BMI) (OR 1.15, 95% CI: 1.05-1.26) p = .003).

CONCLUSIONS

23% of patients developed surgical site IH, a higher BMI being the only risk factor found to be statistically significant in the development of an incisional hernia.

Effect of closed incision negative pressure wound therapy on incidence rate of surgical site infection after stoma reversal: a pilot study

Introduction

The stoma reversal (SR) procedure is associated with a relatively high risk of perioperative complications with surgical site infection (SSI) as the most common. Recently closed incision negative pressure wound therapy (ciNPWT) was applied widely to prevent SSI.

Aim

To investigate the efficiency of ciNPWT in terms of the incidence rate of SSI after SR surgery.

Material and methods

As an exploratory observational cohort study patients were treated either with ciNPWT (n = 15) or standard sterile dressing (SSD) (n = 15). CiNPWT was applied every 3 days whereas SSD was changed every day. Clinical evaluation for SSI signs, C-reactive protein level and pain assessment using the visual analogue scale (VAS) were analyzed.

Results

The incidence rate of SSI was in 13% (2/15) in the ciNPWT group and 26% (4/15) in the SSD group (p = 0.651, OR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.03–3.73). All patients in the SSD group who developed SSI presented both local and generalized signs of infection. Pain-VAS levels assessed on the 1^st (MdnciNPWT = 4, MdnSSD = 5, p = 0.027, W = 51.5) and 3^rd postoperative day (MdnciNPWT = 2, MdnSSD = 4, p = 0.014, W = 45.5) were significantly lower in the ciNPWT group than in the SSD group.

Conclusions

CiNPWT seems not to have a benefit to reduce SSI after the SR procedure. Further investigation is needed to establish firmly the benefit of using ciNPWT in this group of patients.

Subcuticular Suturing with Closed Suction Drainage for Wound Closure Following Stoma Reversal

Incisional surgical site infection (SSI) is a leading complication of stoma reversal procedures. This retrospective study was conducted to assess the incidence of incisional SSI and other wound complications when wound closure was achieved by subcuticular suturing and closed suction drainage following stoma reversal. We analyzed data from a total of 49 patients, all of whom had undergone insertion of a 10 Fr closed suction drainage tube in the fascia, following irrigation with approximately 300 mL of physiological saline. We then performed subcuticular suturing with 4-0 monofilament absorbable sutures. The median age of our patient population (34 men and 15 women) was 68 (range, 35-84) years. Six patients had an end stoma and 43 had a loop stoma. The wound category was 'contaminated' in 18 patients, while an incisional SSI was observed in one patient (2.0%). No wound disruptions, seromas, or drain infections were evident. Our data are reliable, but our study is limited in terms of general applicability; however, the low SSI rate indicates that the procedure is acceptable. Further research into this procedure will require a randomized trial design.

Comparing Surgical Site Infection and Scar Cosmesis Between Conventional Linear Skin Closure Versus Purse-string Skin Closure in Stoma Reversal - A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction

Stoma closure is one of the most frequently performed surgeries. The common complications are surgical site infection (SSI) and poor scar cosmesis. Purse-string sutures are expected to have less incidence of SSI due to the free drainage of secretions from the wound and possibly the early detection of a wound infection. Compared to the conventional linear closure, the purse-string closure technique is expected to have less wound infection, improved scar cosmesis, and good patient satisfaction because of a smaller size scar. Hence, a well-structured study is required to substantiate the advantage of this technique.

Methodology

This randomized control trial was carried out for two years in a tertiary care centre in Southern India. Patients with various stoma reversals, including colostomy, as well as ileostomy reversal, were included in the study. Patients were divided into Group I - conventional linear skin suturing (n = 40) and Group II - purse-string closure (n = 40). After the closure of rectus muscle, the skin is closed using the purse-string method (subcuticular) in the experimental group.

Results

Both the groups were comparable with respect to age, gender, body mass index (BMI), the presence of co-morbidities, and indication for surgery. Stomal procedures were done (26.3%) for malignant cases. The difference in mean hospital days for both groups were statistically insignificant (11.95 vs. 9.9; p = 0.927). The incidence of SSI between the groups were statistically significant (17 vs. 3; p = 0.003). The mean Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scoring (POSAS) scores between the groups (65.30 vs. 83.40; p = 0.012) were statistically significant. This proved significant improvement in scar cosmesis in purse-string skin closure. At one month postoperative, the purse-string group had better patient satisfaction (3.08 vs. 4.48; p = 0.001), which was evidenced by a mean Likert 3 scale score. The mean visual analogue scale (VAS) score did not show any significant difference in pain between the groups.

Conclusion

Purse-string skin closure for stoma reversal had significantly less incidence of SSI. The duration of antibiotic therapy was also less in purse-string skin closure patients as compared to linear skin closure patients. Purse-string skin closures significantly improved the scar outcome and patient satisfaction.

When are defunctioning stomas in rectal cancer surgery really reversed? Results from a population-based single center experience

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

This study assessed the timing of reversal of defunctioning stoma following low anterior resection of the rectum for cancer and risk factors for a defunctioning stoma becoming permanent in patients who were not reversed.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Patients who underwent low anterior resection with defunctioning stoma during a 12-year period were assessed with regard to timing of stoma reversal. Delayed reversal was defined as >4 months after low anterior resection. Patients with a defunctioning stoma that was never reversed were assessed regarding risk factors for permanent stoma.

RESULTS

A total of 134 patients were analyzed. Of 106 stoma reversals, 19% were reversed within 4 months of low anterior resection, while 81% were reversed later than 4 months. In 58% of these patients, the delay was to due to low medical priority given to this procedure. The other main reasons for delayed stoma reversal were nonsurgical complications (20%), symptomatic anastomotic leakage following low anterior resection (12%), and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (10%). Of all patients, 21% (28/134) ended up with a permanent stoma. Risk factors for a defunctioning stoma becoming permanent were stage IV cancer (P < 0.001) and symptomatic anastomotic leakage following low anterior resection (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Four in five patients experienced a delayed stoma reversal, in a majority because of the low priority given to this surgical procedure.

Should routine contrast study be a norm before stoma reversal? A retrospective study of patients with temporary ileostomy

In the developed nations, temporary ileostomies are usually made in order to protect a distal anastomosis after cancer surgery. However, in India and the neighbouring countries ileal perforation is the most common indication for creating a temporary ileostomy after emergency laparotomy. It seems logical to perform a contrast study when a stoma that was made to protect a bowel anastomosis is being reversed in order to check for anastomosis healing, leak or stenosis. Although we do not know precisely when and why we started this practice, it is customary at our institute to do a contrast study before reversal of a temporary ileostomy. At some institutes a routine contrast study is never done. The utility of this practice has not previously been studied at our institute. This study tries to correlate the surgeon's clinical and operative findings with the contrast study report in order to see if it may be reasonable to reverse the stoma without a routine contrast study in selected patients where the surgeon has clearly documented absence of any gross disease in the distal bowel and who have had an uneventful post-operative period. To our knowledge this appears to be the first such attempt from our country.