Demonstration of para-ileostomy herniation using computed tomography

Twenty-eight patients with end ileostomies underwent localised computed tomography (CT) of the ileostomy region. Para-ileostomy herniation was demonstrated in 10 patients. In two of these the hernia was not detectable clinically. This incidence (36%) is higher than that reported previously. Herniation was associated with a larger defect in the anterior abdominal wall at the stomal site and was more common lateral to the stoma. No association was shown between herniation and the underlying disease process, or to the site of the stoma relative to the rectus abdominis muscle. Demonstration of a hernia by clinical examination or CT was important in clinical management decisions. CT is recommended in patients with stoma-related symptoms or unexplained abdominal symptoms following ileostomy formation when a para-stomal hernia is suspected, but clinical examination is negative.