Traumatic lumbar hernia: report of a case
Nurkan Torer1, Sedat Yildirim, Akin Tarim
1Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery, Ankara, Turkey.
International Journal of Surgery (London, England)
|December 9, 2008
Summary
Traumatic lumbar hernias are rare injuries resulting from blunt force trauma. This case highlights the importance of CT scans and emergency surgery for diagnosing and treating abdominal wall defects and associated injuries.
Area of Science:
- Trauma Surgery
- Abdominal Wall Reconstruction
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Traumatic lumbar hernias are exceptionally rare occurrences.
- These injuries typically result from significant blunt force trauma to the abdominal wall.
Observation:
- A 44-year-old male presented with a left flank swelling after a crushing injury.
- Abdominal CT revealed subcutaneous intestinal segments, indicating a hernia.
- A 10-cm defect in the left postero-lateral abdominal wall was identified during laparotomy, with herniated splenic flexure.
Findings:
- The herniated splenic flexure was successfully reduced and the abdominal wall defect repaired with a polypropylene mesh.
- A primary repair was performed for a serosal tear and a 3mm ischemic area on the splenic flexure.
- The patient experienced an uncomplicated recovery post-operatively.
Implications:
- Blunt abdominal trauma can cause both abdominal wall disruption and intra-abdominal organ injury.
- Abdominal CT is crucial for diagnosing traumatic lumbar hernias and identifying concurrent injuries.
- Prompt emergency laparotomy is essential for managing these complex injuries and ensuring optimal patient outcomes.
