Spigelian hernia in children: case report and literature review

Spigelian hernias occur through a defect in the anterior abdominal wall adjacent to the semilunar line and lateral to the abdominal rectus. Spigelian hernias are rare regardless of the patient's age and even uncommon in the pediatric population. We report a 9-year-old male patient who presented with a bulging at the left lower abdomen consistent with a Spigelian hernia. A review of the data published between 1955 and 2010 pertaining to pediatric patients with Spigelian hernias follows. Effective treatment for this condition is surgical. Repair follows general principles with layered or plicated closure of the defect with absorbable sutures. Recurrence is unlikely.