Spigelian hernia. Personal experience and review of the literature

Spigelian hernia is an uncommon abdominal wall defect. We present our series of patients with Spigelian hernia and a literature review.

We carried out a retrospective review of patients operated on from 2001 to 2008. Epidemiological aspects, diagnostic methods, surgical technique characteristics, morbidity, hospital stay, recurrences and follow up are analyzed.

We have treated 39 patients, 25 female and 14 male, with a mean age of 70 years. Left side was the most frequent location. Risk factors were present in 74% of patients. Diagnosis was made clinically in 72% of cases. Open hernioplasty followed by laparoscopic hernioplasty are the most frequent techniques performed. Emergency operation was needed in 20% of patients. Postoperative morbidity is very low.

Diagnosis of Spigelian hernia is basically clinic. The gold standard is TC in doubtful cases. An important percentage of patients will present with an acute complication of the Spigelian hernia as their first symptom. Surgical technique depends on patient characteristics, type of hernia and surgeon experience.