Single incision laparoscopic spigelian hernia repair--an approach with standard instrumentarium

Spigelian hernia is a rare type of abdominal wall ventral hernia caused by defect in the spigelian fascia and presented with pain and/or palpable mass. This diagnosis is an indication for surgical procedure due to the high risk of incarceration. There are two surgical approaches (open and laparoscopic), both using two methods of repair (mesh-free primary closure and tension-free mesh repair), depending on the hernia ring size. We present a case of a 62-year-old woman with a palpable mass localized in the left spigelian hernia belt, verified by ultrasonography as a spigelian hernia. A single incision intra-abdominal laparoscopic approach with a tension-free underlay mesh-repair technique was used to treat the condition. Operating time was 40 minutes and the procedure was completed without complications. Postoperative recovery was uneventful as well as 1-week and 2-month follow up. To our knowledge, this is the first report of spigelian hernia repair by single incision laparoscopic surgery. Although this approach is more demanding in comparison to multiport laparoscopy, it proved to be safe and feasible for experienced laparoscopic team. Besides cosmetic improvement, the single incision approach reduces to minimum the risk of bleeding, organ injury and incisional postoperative hernia. To determine optimal indications and limits of this approach, further data collection and follow up are required.