Spigelian hernias: A high volume institutional review
Peter Szasz1, Marguerite Mainprize2, Fernando A C Spencer Netto2
1Department of Surgery, Queen's University, Kingston Health Sciences Center, ON, Canada.
Surgery Open Science
|June 23, 2023
Summary
This study analyzed 141 patients undergoing Spigelian hernia repair, finding they are not exclusive to older females and often present with vague abdominal pain. Early suspicion is key for timely diagnosis and treatment of these rare hernias.
Area of Science:
- General Surgery
- Abdominal Wall Surgery
Background:
- Spigelian hernias are rare and challenging to diagnose, often causing treatment delays or emergency surgery.
- Limited data exists on the specific characteristics of patients and hernias due to their low incidence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the experience of a high-volume hernia center with primary Spigelian hernias.
- To characterize patient demographics, hernia presentation, and treatment outcomes for Spigelian hernias.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of patients who underwent Spigelian hernia repair from 2005 to 2019.
- Descriptive statistical analysis of collected patient and hernia data.
Main Results:
- The incidence of Spigelian hernias was 0.14% at the institution.
- 141 patients with 143 Spigelian hernias were repaired; most were male, left-sided, and treated with conscious sedation, with or without mesh.
Conclusions:
- This study provides a substantial dataset on Spigelian hernias, expanding existing literature.
- Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for Spigelian hernias in patients with vague abdominal pain, as they can occur in diverse populations.
