Parastomal hernia repair: modified thorlakson technique, reinforced by polypropylene mesh.

The use of mesh repairs in parastomal hernias has recently been the subject of controversy. We describe a modified Thorlakson technique that incorporates an incomplete circumferential mesh to reinforce the fascial repair. In this preliminary report five cases have been operated on without any serious complications. A comprehensive literature review found that a total of 72 cases have been reported by various authors. Failure rates caused by recurrence or mesh-related sepsis amounted to 8.3 percent. In comparison with results for stoma relocations and nonprosthetic in-situ fascial repairs, mesh repairs have the lowest recurrence rates.