Parastomal hernia is the most common complication of a permanent stoma and is defined as an incisional hernia located at or immediately adjacent to a stoma. The incidence of the disease is very high and it increases with the time of a stoma. The majority of parastomal hernias are asymptomatic and amenable to conservative treatment. However, some patients require surgical treatment because of abdominal pain, leakage of the stoma device, irritation of the skin around the stoma and cosmetic problems caused by abdominal distension. The three major surgical approaches include suture repair of the fascial defect, translocation of the stoma, and mesh repair. For patients with high risk factors, using a prophylactic mesh during ostomy formation might be advisable and cost-effective. This paper summarizes the research progress of risk factors, diagnosis and treatment of parastomal hernia.