Spigelian hernias in infants: report of two cases

Spigelian hernia, an uncommon but well-recognized ventral hernia, is rare in children. Two such cases are reported, both on the left side in female infants under 1 year of age. The first hernia, which was repaired when the infant was 7 months old, contained an ovary. Repair of the second hernia, which was diagnosed in the neonatal period, was delayed because of a congenital diaphragmatic hernia requiring urgent repair. The hernia reduced spontaneously and is no longer palpable, suggesting spontaneous closure. A literature review revealed only eight other cases of spigelian hernias occurring in infants less than 1 year of age. Spontaneous closure has not been recorded before.