Retroperitoneal end colostomy for hernia prevention after laparoscopic abdominoperineal excision: a retrospective study

Abstract

AIM: to compare the hernia rate and the post-operative morbidity in patients after retroperitoneal and traditional (direct) colostomy during laparoscopic APR.PATIENTS AND METHODS: the retrospective study included patients with rectal and anal cancer after laparoscopic APE in 2019-2022. Direct or retroperitoneal end colostomy were the surgeon’s choice. Primary endpoints were the hernia rate after ≥ 1 year by abdominal CT and post-operative morbidity (Clavien-Dindo).RESULTS: fifty patients were included in the study (30 patients with retroperitoneal colostomy and 20 patients with direct colostomy). There were no significant differences in parameters that could affect the results. Four (13.3%) vs 8 (40%) patients developed parastomal hernias in the retroperitoneal and direct colostomy group, accordingly (p = 0.045). No post-operative morbidity grade 4–5 and no other complications that could be attributed to retroperitoneal colostomy occurred. Post-operative morbidity grade 3 developed in 3 (10%) patients in the retroperitoneal colostomy group and in 1 (5%) — in the direct one (p = 0.64).CONCLUSION: retroperitoneal colostomy in laparoscopic APE may reduce the parastomal hernia rate. It is important to conduct prospective comparative studies.