Risk factors for parastomal hernia after a robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) with an ileal conduit (IC) urinary diversion.

De Corte Toon, 2025
Bladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer in men, with a lifetime risk of 1.1% in males and 0.25% in females. For patients with advanced bladder cancer, treatment often involves the surgical removal of the bladder, a procedure known as a radical cystectomy. Since the bladder is essential for storing urine, an alternative pathway must be created for urine to leave the body. This is achieved using a segment of bowel, which is pulled through the abdominal wall and attached to a plastic bag (a urostomy) that acts as a urine reservoir. One of the most frequent complications of this procedure is the development of a parastomal hernia. A parastomal hernia occurs when abdominal contents, such as intestines, protrude through the abdominal wall near the stoma created during surgery. This condition can significantly impact quality of life, causing symptoms such as pain, discomfort, bulging around the stoma, difficulties with applying urostomy bag, blockages in the ileal conduit or herniated intestines. Despite its prevalence, limited data exists on the factors contributing to parastomal hernia development, particularly after robot-assisted radical cystectomy. This study aims to build upon and further supplement the existing literature by analyzing data from 172 patients who underwent the procedure with an ileal conduit urinary diversion. Of these patients, 34.3% developed a parastomal hernia. Only patients with a prior history of open abdominal surgery showed a significant increase in clinically significant parastomal hernia risk. Other predictors of parastomal hernia development such as body mass index, smoking and female gender showed interesting, but no significant associations requiring further research. The findings highlight how important it is to identify patients who are more likely to develop parastomal hernias. By taking preventive steps—like using special supportive materials (prophylactic mesh) or adjusting surgical techniques—doctors can help reduce the chances of this complication. These strategies could make a big difference in improving the daily lives of patients living with urostomies.

Promotor Charles Van Praet
Opleiding Geneeskunde
Domein Chirurgie
Kernwoorden Parastomal hernia, urostoma, robot-assisted radical cystectomy, ileal conduit