The physical and psychological impacts of a parastomal hernia
By Heidi Vang Hagelskjær, Nurse/Medical Product Manager
Hernia formation after abdominal surgery is a major concern
One of the main consequences of abdominal surgeries is the risk of subsequent hernia formation. According to the review article “Parastomal Hernia: A Growing Problem with New Solutions” from 2014 a hernia around or next to a stoma develops in up to 78% of patients and typically occurs within 2 years of ostomy creation. It may, however, develop as long as 20 or 30 years after surgery. This type of hernia is also known as a parastomal hernia, PSH, and is broadly defined as “an incisional hernia located at or immediately adjacent to a stoma”.
What are the risk factors in this context? And how does a parastomal hernia impact the quality of life of the people having to live with one? In this newsletter article we describe both the physical and psychological impacts in general. On the basis of several studies we also give recommendations on how these impacts can be addressed.
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