Laparoscopic parastomal hernia repair: keyhole, Sugarbaker, sandwich, or hybrid technique with 3D mesh? An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE: Parastomal hernia is the most common complication after stoma formation with an incidence that approaches 50% at 2 years postoperatively. In the last decade, different approaches of minimally invasive procedures have been proposed for the treatment of parastomal hernia. Nevertheless, the superiority of one technique over the others remains still unclear. Our objective was to update and systematically analyze current state of research concerning the postoperative outcomes of the four most prevalent minimally invasive techniques. METHODS: A systematic literature search of three databases (Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar) was undertaken for articles published from January 2015 to November 2022. Fifteen studies from a previous meta-analysis on the topic were included. RESULTS: Thirty-three studies incorporating 1289 total patients were deemed eligible for inclusion in the final analysis. The keyhole technique was associated with the highest incidence of postoperative complications and recurrences (31.3% and 24.1%, respectively), followed by the Sugarbaker technique (27.6% and 9%, respectively). Operative time was among the lowest in patients operated with the 3D mesh technique, while patients undergoing the keyhole technique experienced the shortest cumulative length of hospital stay (6 days). CONCLUSION: Each technique demonstrates a unique profile of effectiveness offset by the propensity towards developing postoperative complications. While no conclusive evidence on the optimal technique exist to date, newer minimally invasive techniques show promising results, albeit based on limited data. The future of parastomal hernia repair seems to rely on a highly individualized approach, tailored to the distinctive characteristics of both the hernia and the patient.