Incarcerated Spigelian hernia following laparoscopic living-donor nephrectomy

We present the case of an incarcerated Spigelian hernia that manifested 24 hours after a laparoscopic living-donor nephrectomy. The differential diagnosis, proposed management, and a review of the literature is presented. Bowel obstruction occurring within a few days following laparoscopic surgery is most often attributed to a hernia at a trocar site. In the case of living-donor nephrectomy. the hernia could also occur at the incision made for removal of the kidney. Spigelian hernia has not been reported as a complication of laparoscopic surgery in the past and, therefore, would not normally be considered in the differential diagnosis of any complications following laparoscopic surgery. With the increasing use of laparoscopy, unsuspected intraabdominal conditions may be diagnosed during the procedure or become manifest because of increased intraabdominal pressure created by the pneumoperitoneum. Here we report the diagnosis and repair of a Spigelian hernia that became manifest 1 day after laparoscopic nephrectomy.