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 incorpora tes an incomplete circumferential mesh to reinforce the fascial repair. In this preliminary report five cases have been operated on without any seriou s complications. A comprehensive literature review found that a total of 72 cases have been reported by various authors. Failure rates caused by recur rence or mesh-related sepsis amounted to 8.3 percent. In comparison with re sults for stoma relocations and nonprosthetic in-situ fascial repairs, mesh repairs have the lowest recurrence rates.