Reconstruction of traumatic lumbar hernias: A case report

Traumatic lumbar hernias are not common hernias that are encountered by general or plastic surgery teams, however it is important to understand the anatomy of the hernia in order to be able to correct the flank defect. In our patient, the oblique muscles were sheared off the iliac crest periosteum, however the attachments to the ribs and spine were maintained. We were able to successfully place a pre-peritoneal polypropylene mesh which was secured to the musculature, and re-approximate the oblique muscles to the iliac crest using Mitek QUICKANCHOR^® sutures. Our case study has been reported in line with the SCARE criteria ([8] Agha et al., 2016).

The subject in our case was a 47-year-old gentleman who was involved in a motor vehicle accident, and sustained a traumatic lumbar hernia due to the 3-point seatbelt he was wearing. He was transported via ambulance to our trauma center.

Understanding the anatomy and mechanism of injury is the key to reconstructing traumatic lumber hernias. Although not required, mesh reinforcement has significantly reduced the recurrence of all hernias. This is the simplest and most effective way, in our opinion, to return the flank muscles to their native position while providing mesh reinforcement.