[Spigelian hernia: 3 case reports]

Spigelian hernia is an uncommon hernia of the abdominal wall, often not easily diagnosed. Three cases of Spigelian hernia are reported. In the first patient it was an incidental discovery, in the second one hernia was complicated by strangulation of the small bowel, in the third patient hernia was symptomatic without complications. In all the patients, in their previous clinical history, an operation for hernia or other abdominal pathologies was observed. These patients were treated surgically, using direct reconstruction of the abdominal wall in two cases, while a non-absorbable mesh was positioned in the preperitoneal space in the third patient. The anatomopathological and clinical features of Spigelian hernia are described and the problems in diagnosis discussed; in addition, the importance of surgical cure in incidental hernia is underlined.