Hernia Around Stoma: Private Specialist or NHS Surgeon?

Hi All,



I have developed a hernia around my stoma and am due to see the surgeon who did the stoma (Jan. 2009) within the next few days. I get the impression that this type of hernia repair can be difficult - my question is am I better going privately to a hernia specialist or staying with the (NHS) surgeon who I have been refered back to?



If Whoa reads this I'd very much appreciate her opinion being a stoma nurse.



Regards,



prawle

prawle



I would ask your surgeon if he does a lot of hernia repairs, and how he does it, what are the chances of recurrance.



There are  good general surgeons or colorectal surgeons out there that have a lot of experience with hernia repairs and are very competent.  



I work at a teaching hospital and we have a surgeon who specializes in this.  Not all herniated stomas are referred to him....but many are.  Since the option is there,  I would chose that specialist.  Your surgeon may be very competent, but I would ask the above info if I was the patient.



Successful repair depends on many things including: competency of the surgeon, your physical and medical condition, and following the instructions post operatively.



The current literature for ostomy nurses recommends repair of the hernia but relocation of the stoma.  I have rarely seen that done in my institution unless abundant scar tissue or grossly large hernia.  Interesting not all the surgeons see it that way.



I probably mucked the waters with the info but in truth, no clear cut answer.  If there is a specialist, go for it.  



Good luck and let us know how it goes.

The CT scan said a ventral hernia and a small parastomal hernia. When my surgeon got in there he repaired the ventral with mesh and "tightened" another spot, but didn't see any parastomal hernia.



He told me afterwards that he would have repaired a parastomal with mesh as well as he thinks relocating the stoma isn't necessary.



I would definitely ask many questions and get a really good colon rectal surgeon.

Many thanks for the info re this stoma hernia. My local (NHS) hospital has now examined it and say they will have me back in sometime to darn it up but I don't feel too confident with them - can anyone recomend a more specialist hernia surgeon to me,



Regards,



prawle