Ongoing Wound Issues After Stoma Surgery

I had a repair of a parastomal hernia in June 2024. All went well, but my stoma retracted, and I was not able to keep my equipment on. I then had surgery to resite my stoma in August 2024. The stoma was resited by only going under the skin and fascia vs. going back down through the muscle and peritoneum and then resiting the stoma. All seemed fine until about 4 weeks later when a large hematoma burst open through my skin, and I bled profusely. It has now been 7 months, and the wound has not fully healed. It will start to heal, and new wounds open. Periodically, I will have excessive bleeding. Recently, twice in 3 weeks. My wound care nurse does not think this is parastomal pyoderma gangrenosum. I have had lab work, an ileoscopy to rule out Crohn's, a CT scan, an ultrasound, and no answers. I'm wondering if this could be due to how the surgery was done? Perhaps I did not react well to this approach? I am a redhead and bleed easily. Any information or insight would be most appreciated.

Thanks!

Gosh, that sounds difficult. Not a single word of advice here, but hopefully someone will be along soon.

Hey rising, have you gone back to see your surgeon? If not, that's what you need to do. And was your stoma relocated or revised? If it was relocated, they have to go through a rectus muscle and create a new hole; when it's revised, they go in the same spot and pull more length out.

But it sounds like you need to go back to your surgeon instead of having the wound care take care of issues like this.

Thanks. I went back to my surgeon several times. She always sent me back to the emergency room or the wound care nurse. I was never able to get any answers from her. My stoma was relocated higher on my abdomen, about 4 inches from the original area. The intestine was just pulled up to the new area under the fascia. She did not go all the way back down through the peritoneum. I have a consult with another surgeon on Monday and am hoping to get some answers. If not, I'm going to try the University of Washington.

Why in the heck did she do that?!! Anytime your stoma is moved, it has to be in a rectus muscle of the abdomen and go all the way through, just like your first surgery. I know this firsthand all too well; I have had four relocations and two revisions. Also, it could explain why you're having the issues you are; it was not done right at all. And another thing, she shouldn't be pushing you off to wound care or the ER with these types of big issues. First off, the ER would call your surgeon anyway, so for her to do that makes zero sense. I am glad you're seeing another doctor. Your doctor now isn't taking care of you properly.

Living with Your Ostomy | Hollister

So sorry to hear what you are going through. I wish I had some answers. All I can suggest is that you look for second and third opinions and keep advocating for yourself until you get some answers. Good luck, and let us know how you get on.

Terry

Thanks all for the input. I really feel the issue with the continuing wounds is due to the way the surgery was done. I hope I can get some answers and a plan from another surgeon.

I hope you can get a plan from another surgeon too. That is not on. They shouldn't send you packing when you are having a problem like this.