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Purpose of Review: Low back pain (LBP) is considered an important issue of public health, with annual prevalence estimations almost achieving 60% of the worldwide population. Available treatments have a limited impact on this condition, although they allow to alleviate pain and recover the patient's quality of life. This review aims to go deeper on the understanding of this condition, providing an updated, brief, and concise whole picture of this common musculoskeletal problem. Recent Findings: Scientific literature, current clinical practice and clinical guidelines are summarized, focusing on three key aspects: classification of LBP, diagnosis of symptomatic lumbar hernia, and intervention strategies (conservative, surgical, and pharmacological). Benefits and drawbacks of each approach are tackled. Summary: The most appropriate intervention for LBP suffers is hitherto a conservative treatment based on therapeutic exercise, manual therapy and therapeutic education on the neurophysiological mechanisms of pain. Whether patient's condition is severe, does not improve with conservative treatment, or presents neurological symptoms, then surgical intervention is recommended. The efficiency of pharmaceutical approaches for LBP lacks high-quality evidence-based studies, and still needs to be in-depth explored. Current treatments help to improve symptoms and patient's perspectives. However, further research in the field of herniated discs is essential in order to seek a therapy that could definitely cure or eliminate this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this work is to describe the rational, feasibility and clinical and Quality-of-life improvement results of a fully endoscopic preperitoneal repair for midline and lateral abdominal wall hernias, starting from the space of Retzius in a "bottom-to-up" approach. Methods: An observational prospective data-collected and quality of life study is performed in selected patients with less than 10 cm. in diameter midline and lateral abdominal wall hernias. A suprapubic upward e-TEP technique from a previously dissected Retzius space, is performed in all cases. The surgical goal is to perform a total free-tension abdominal wall reconstruction followed by a prosthetic hernioplasty. Clinical Data is classified in preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables, including a quality-of-life clinical evaluation based on an improvement of HerQLes score. Results: A total of 30 patients underwent this approach from September 2017 to October 2022 in a single-surgeon practice. A total restoration of the previous abdominal wall anatomy and a prosthetic repair were achieved in all cases. The mean operative time was 142.53 min, with a significant shorter time in lateral hernias approach. Minor complications (Clavien-Dindo I) were collected in 10% of the patients. Major complications (Clavien-Dindo IIIb) occurred in 6.66% of the patients. The mean pain at discharge was 1.83 VAS, with a significant lower pain in M-eTEP approach for lateral hernias. The mean hospital stay was 42.4 h. No seroma, hematoma, chronic pain, or recurrence was observed in the mean follow-up (20.33 months). A clinical and quality of life improvement was found in 92.9% of the patients, measured by a minimal clinical important difference (MCID) between preoperative and postoperative HerQLes score. Conclusion: Despite being a technically demanding approach, the results obtained by this approach are compatible in safety and feasibility with other minimally invasive preperitoneal hernia repair techniques, in addition to obtaining a significant improvement in the quality of life of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lumbar hernia is a rare disease with low incidence, and no golden standard surgical procedure has been established for lumbar hernias. The single-incision laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal sublay (SIL-TES) technique became a novel surgical technique for lumbar hernias. Methods: This retrospective study included 20 patients who underwent SIL-TES repair for lumbar hernia between April 2020 and March 2024. The baseline patient characteristics, intraoperative data, postoperative data, satisfaction score, and Carolina Comfort Scale scores were collected. Results: The results revealed that the SIL-TES technique for lumbar hernia repair is associated with a low complication rate, nonrecurrence, high satisfaction score, and high quality of life after surgery. Conclusions: The SIL-TES technique could be a feasible and effective surgical technique for lumbar hernias. A controlled study is needed for further confirmation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract PURPOSE: Lumbar incisional hernias are a defect of the posterolateral region on the abdominal wall that originated from previous surgical incisions in the area. A surgical approach is challenging due to low incidence and the lack of enough publications on the topic, which generates controversies among surgeons. The purpose of this paper is to show our laparoscopic approach experience using the intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM) and IPOM Plus procedures for the treatment of lumbar incisional hernias. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective descriptive study, including 10 patients with lumbar/posterolateral incisional hernias, diagnosed by computerized tomography scan and surgically treated with the IPOM laparoscopic technique in one case and IPOM Plus in nine cases from 2014 to 2021. Demographic data and baseline characteristics of enrolled patients were assessed, as well as perioperative data, surgical time, length of hospital stay, and recurrence during an average 38.6-month follow-up. RESULTS: In the series assessed, the defect size ranged between 24 and 72 cm2, with mean longitudinal and transversal diameters of 7.9 and 5.8 cm, respectively. The surgery lasted 120–180 min. There were no cases of conversion or intraoperative visceral lesions. Nine patients were discharged on an average of 37.8 ± 8.9 h after admission, and one patient stayed for 64 h due to extra analgesic demand. Postoperative morbidity was a case of hematoma. There was one case of recurrence. CONCLUSION: The results of our experience have shown the benefits of the laparoscopic approach with the IPOM Plus method for the treatment of lumbar incisional hernias, including short hospital stays and low incidence of postoperative complications. Accordingly, this mainstream technique, which has shown good outcomes both in the short and the long term, appears to be a simple and safe procedure.

Purpose: Traumatic lumbar hernia (TLH) constitutes a protrusion of content through a defect in the posterior abdominal wall, as a result of injury. This rare entity has been described in limited number of cases. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed according to the meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology guidelines. The English literature from 1990 until 2021 was reviewed, using PubMed, EMBASE and Google Scholar bibliographic databases, to identify case reports and case series with patients that were diagnosed with TLH. For each eligible study, demographics, clinical presentation, hernia characteristics, preoperative imaging investigations, operation details, and postoperative data were extracted for assessment. Statistical analysis was performed on SPSS, version 20.0. Results: A total of 62 studies were included for review, with 164 patients with TLH. Mean age was (42.6 ± 14.3) years (47.6% males, 31.1% females, gender not specified in 35 cases). Mean diameter of hernia neck was (6.3 ± 3.1) cm, while the triangles of Petit and Grynfeltt were affected in 74.5% and 14.6%, respectively. Patients diagnosed in the emergency setting account for 54.2%, with CT scan establishing diagnosis in all but one case (97.7%). A delayed diagnosis was made in 45.8%, at a mean 1 year following trauma. Flank bulging (82.8%) and chronic back pain (34.3%) were the most frequent symptoms. In both delayed and acute group, open surgery (63.6% and 92.3%, respectively) was the preferred surgical approach. Postoperative complications were reported in 11.4% of acute and 15.0% of delayed patients. Hernia recurrence was 7%. Conclusions: TLH is uncommon with 164 cases described since 1990. CT scan is the gold standard in diagnosis. Open surgery is generally the preferred approach, particularly in the emergency setting. Acute TLH can be treated either by primary suture repair or mesh, depending on the local conditions, whereas delayed cases usually require a mesh.

Lumbar incisional hernia is an uncommon complication that affects the abdominal wall integrity, accounting for approximately 3.5% of all cases. It typically occurs following open nephrectomy or aortic aneurysm repair surgeries. Although rare, lumbar hernias can lead to discomfort, aesthetic issues, or even intestinal obstruction. In extremely rare cases, lumbar herniation of the liver can occur. Here, the authors present a case of a 60-year-old female patient with liver herniation through a lumbar incisional hernia and a history of pyelolithotomy for renal calculi. The authors performed an open hernia repair with meshplasty. Lumbar incisional hernias are rare and still difficult to manage. Computed tomography is the diagnostic method of choice in the evaluation of the parietal wall defect to choose the appropriate therapeutic management. Surgical management modalities are still poorly codified, with no precise recommendations, and this is probably due to the relative rarity of the cases.

Traumatic lumbar hernia (TLH) constitutes a protrusion of content through a defect in the posterior abdominal wall, as a result of injury. This rare entity has been described in limited number of cases. A systematic review of the literature was performed according to the meta-analysis of observational studies in epidemiology guidelines. The English literature from 1990 until 2021 was reviewed, using PubMed, EMBASE and Google Scholar bibliographic databases, to identify case reports and case series with patients that were diagnosed with TLH. For each eligible study, demographics, clinical presentation, hernia characteristics, preoperative imaging investigations, operation details, and postoperative data were extracted for assessment. Statistical analysis was performed on SPSS, version 20.0. A total of 62 studies were included for review, with 164 patients with TLH. Mean age was (42.6 ± 14.3) years (47.6% males, 31.1% females, gender not specified in 35 cases). Mean diameter of hernia neck was (6.3 ± 3.1) cm, while the triangles of Petit and Grynfeltt were affected in 74.5% and 14.6%, respectively. Patients diagnosed in the emergency setting account for 54.2%, with CT scan establishing diagnosis in all but one case (97.7%). A delayed diagnosis was made in 45.8%, at a mean 1 year following trauma. Flank bulging (82.8%) and chronic back pain (34.3%) were the most frequent symptoms. In both delayed and acute group, open surgery (63.6% and 92.3%, respectively) was the preferred surgical approach. Postoperative complications were reported in 11.4% of acute and 15.0% of delayed patients. Hernia recurrence was 7%. TLH is uncommon with 164 cases described since 1990. CT scan is the gold standard in diagnosis. Open surgery is generally the preferred approach, particularly in the emergency setting. Acute TLH can be treated either by primary suture repair or mesh, depending on the local conditions, whereas delayed cases usually require a mesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lumbar hernias are rare, and the diagnosis can be easily missed. Acquired lumbar hernias can occur spontaneously; however, they are increasingly being reported due to trauma or flank surgery. A good history and examination can aid in diagnosis with imaging confirming the condition. Hernia repair can be laparoscopic or through open surgical approaches. We report a case of primary spontaneous lumbar hernia which was managed by an open approach to close the defect with retromuscular mesh placement.

A lumbar abdominal wall hernia is a protrusion of intraperitoneal or extraperitoneal contents through a weakness in the posterior abdominal wall, usually through the superior or inferior lumbar triangle. Due to its rare occurrence, adequate knowledge of anatomy and methods for optimal diagnosis and treatment might be lacking with many surgeons. We believe a clear understanding of anatomy, a narrative review of the literature and a pragmatic proposal for a step-by-step approach for treatment will be helpful for physicians and surgeons confronted with this condition. We describe the anatomy of this condition and discuss the scarce literature on this topic concerning optimal diagnosis and treatment. Thereafter, we propose a step-by-step approach for a surgical technique supported by intraoperative images to treat this condition safely and prevent potential pitfalls. We believe this approach offers a technically easy way to perform effective reinforcement of the lumbar abdominal wall, offering a low recurrence rate and preventing important complications. After meticulously reading this manuscript and carefully following the suggested approach, any surgeon that is reasonably proficient in minimally invasive abdominal wall surgery (though likely not in lumbar hernia surgery), should be able to treat this condition safely and effectively. This manuscript cannot replace adequate training by an expert surgeon. However, we believe this condition occurs so infrequently that there is likely to be a lack of real experts. This manuscript could help guide the surgeon in understanding anatomy and performing better and safer surgery.

With merely 300 cases reported in the literature, Grynfelt-Lesshaft hernia is an extremely rare condition. This hernia was identified in a 39-year-old male patient and is presented due to its rarity.

Lumbar hernias are rare, and the diagnosis can be easily missed. Acquired lumbar hernias can occur spontaneously; however, they are increasingly being reported due to trauma or flank surgery. A good history and examination can aid in diagnosis with imaging confirming the condition. Hernia repair can be laparoscopic or through open surgical approaches. We report a case of primary spontaneous lumbar hernia which was managed by an open approach to close the defect with retromuscular mesh placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lumbar incisional hernia is an uncommon complication that affects the abdominal wall integrity, accounting for approximately 3.5% of all cases. It typically occurs following open nephrectomy or aortic aneurysm repair surgeries. Although rare, lumbar hernias can lead to discomfort, aesthetic issues, or even intestinal obstruction. In extremely rare cases, lumbar herniation of the liver can occur. Here, the authors present a case of a 60-year-old female patient with liver herniation through a lumbar incisional hernia and a history of pyelolithotomy for renal calculi. The authors performed an open hernia repair with meshplasty. Lumbar incisional hernias are rare and still difficult to manage. Computed tomography is the diagnostic method of choice in the evaluation of the parietal wall defect to choose the appropriate therapeutic management. Surgical management modalities are still poorly codified, with no precise recommendations, and this is probably due to the relative rarity of the cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Lateral abdominal hernias are inherently challenging surgical entities. As such, there has been an increase in the adoption of robotic platforms to approach these challenging hernias. Our study aims to assess and compare outcomes between open (oLAHR) and robotic (rLAHR) lateral abdominal hernia repair using a national hernia-specific database. Methods: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data from the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative was performed to include all adult patients who underwent elective lateral hernia repair. A propensity score match analysis was conducted, and univariate analyses were conducted to compare these two surgical modalities across perioperative timeframes. Results: The database identified 2569 patients. Our analysis matched 665 patients to either the open or robotic groups. The median length of stay, surgical site occurrences (SSO), and surgical site occurrences requiring procedural interventions (SSOPI) were higher in the oLAHR versus the rLAHR group. Overall, oLAHR had a significantly higher rate of having any post-operative complications or any SSO/SSOPI. There was no difference in quality-of-life measures between groups at 30 days and 1 year. Conclusion: Robotic abdominal hernia repair is a safe alternative compared to the open repair of lateral abdominal hernias with better perioperative outcomes. Despite having a longer operative time, the robotic approach can offer a significantly shorter length of stay and an overall lower rate of complications. Ultimately, there is no difference in the quality-of-life measures both at 30 days and 1 year between the open and robotic approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Flank hernias are uncommon and challenging to repair. Discussion of flank hernia repair is scarce in the literature. We present a novel approach to repair flank incisional, traumatic, and denervation hernias with a “hybrid” approach using an open repair in conjunction with the robotic platform for laparoscopic intraperitoneal mesh fixation. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on all patients who received a “hybrid” repair from April 2014 through January 2020 by a single surgeon. Patient and hernia characteristics, operative techniques, and outcomes were evaluated. Each patient underwent a similar operation with an intraperitoneal mesh as well as an onlay mesh. Minor technique changes including quilting and wound vac placement were developed and compared. Results: Twenty-five patients were included in the study. Outcomes analyzed included wound infection (8.0%), seroma formation (16.0%), hematoma formation (12.0%), mesh infection (0.0%), weight gain (16.0%), hernia recurrence (4.0%), reoperation (12.0%), and chronic pain (25.0%). Compared to the drain placement group, quilting of the subcutaneous tissue was more likely to result in seroma (17.6% vs. 12.5%, P = 0.618) and hematoma (17.6% vs. 0.0%, P = 0.296). Use of negative pressure incisional wound vac did not impact the incidence of wound infection (12.5% vs. 6.2%, P = 0.565), seroma (12.5% vs. 17.6%, P = 0.618), or hematoma formation (12.5% vs. 11.8%, P = 0.704). Conclusion: The “hybrid” repair represents a novel approach to flank hernias. Improved visualization of the intraperitoneal portions of the operation using the robotic platform allows for accurate mesh fixation. In experienced hands, this approach provides safe and satisfactory outcomes similar to a purely open repair.

Lumbar hernias are rarely encountered as compared to other ventral abdominal wall hernias and are often misdiagnosed and overlooked. They account for less than 1.5% of all abdominal hernias. Fewer than 300 cases have been reported over the past 300 years. A lumbar hernia is defined as a protrusion of intra-abdominal contents through a weakness or rupture in the posterior abdominal wall. It must be distinguished from a lipoma, cold (tuberculous) abscess or a pseudo-hernia due to local muscular paralysis. Presenting a case of 65-year-old female who came to surgery OPD with complaint of a swelling in the right lumbar area since 5 years. On examination, a smooth and non-tender swelling measuring approximately 4 x 3 cm was evident in right lumbar region. We proceeded with a lumbar ultrasound which confirmed the presence of the hernia in posterior abdominal wall. Later, the patient was admitted for surgery under spinal anaesthesia. An open approach was performed and intraoperative findings revealed retroperitoneal fat, intermuscular lipoma and a small hernia sac as contents of swelling. It is very unusual to find lumbar hernias presenting with a lipoma, as in our case, the clinical findings alone can be very confusing and increase the chances of incorrect diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Inability of clinical examination and ultrasonography alone in making an adequate diagnosis of lumbar hernia in preoperative setting mandates a routine CT/MRI for all such patients, to ensure surgeons have a correct diagnosis before proceeding for surgery. Ideal management is just like other hernias, i.e., with mesh hernioplasty either laparoscopically or through an open approach.

Lumbar hernia is a rare disease, which can be acquired spontaneously or secondarily (post-traumatically, postoperatively...) or congenitally. It results from the existence of areas of weakness between the different muscles forming the posterior abdominal wall: the deep-seated Grynfeltt triangle and the superficial Jean-Louis Petit triangle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Congenital lumbar hernia is defined as the protrusion of intraperitoneal or extraperitoneal viscera through a defect of the posterior abdominal wall, present at birth. The aim of our study was to perform a systematic review of this rare pathology, with emphasis on surgical decision-making. Methods: The English literature (2000–2020) was reviewed, using PubMed, EMBASE and GoogleScholar databases, combining the terms "hernia", "lumbar", "flank", "Grynfeltt", "Petit" and "congenital". Overall, 35 studies were included, describing 85 patients. Results: Mean age was 9.7 ± 20.7 months (range 1 day–10 years). 55.7% were males and 44.3% were females. All patients presented electively, with flank bulging as the main symptom. Superior lumbar triangle (Grynfeltt) herniae accounted for 41.8%, inferior lumbar triangle (Petit) herniae for 32.8%, whereas 25.4% were classified as diffuse. A left-sided hernia was observed in 47%, a right-sided in 42.4%, while 10.6% were bilateral. 71.8% of the patients had associated anatomical anomalies, mainly the lumbocostovertebral syndrome. Most patients (83.3%) were treated surgically, while 16.7% conservatively with surveillance. In 93.3%, the surgical approach was open, with laparoscopy employed in 6.7% of cases. The majority (71.7%) underwent primary suture repair of the hernia defect, whereas a mesh was required in 28.3%. Post-operative morbidity was 6.7% and recurrence rate was 3.3% at a mean follow-up of 26.4 months. Conclusion: Congenital lumbar hernia is a rare pathology in the paediatric population, with only 85 cases reported since 2000. Although the diagnosis is frequently straightforward, it should raise the suspicion for associated congenital anomalies and further investigation is required, with cross-sectional imaging. Surgical repair is usually performed during the first year, to allow for symmetrical torso development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lumbar hernias are rarely encountered as compared to other ventral abdominal wall hernias and are often misdiagnosed and overlooked. They account for less than 1.5% of all abdominal hernias. Fewer than 300 cases have been reported over the past 300 years. A lumbar hernia is defined as a protrusion of intra-abdominal contents through a weakness or rupture in the posterior abdominal wall. It must be distinguished from a lipoma, cold (tuberculous) abscess or a pseudo-hernia due to local muscular paralysis. Presenting a case of 65-year-old female who came to surgery OPD with complaint of a swelling in the right lumbar area since 5 years. On examination, a smooth and non-tender swelling measuring approximately 4 x 3 cm was evident in right lumbar region. We proceeded with a lumbar ultrasound which confirmed the presence of the hernia in posterior abdominal wall. Later, the patient was admitted for surgery under spinal anaesthesia. An open approach was performed and intraoperative findings revealed retroperitoneal fat, intermuscular lipoma and a small hernia sac as contents of swelling. It is very unusual to find lumbar hernias presenting with a lipoma, as in our case, the clinical findings alone can be very confusing and increase the chances of incorrect diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Inability of clinical examination and ultrasonography alone in making an adequate diagnosis of lumbar hernia in preoperative setting mandates a routine CT/MRI for all such patients, to ensure surgeons have a correct diagnosis before proceeding for surgery. Ideal management is just like other hernias, i.e., with mesh hernioplasty either laparoscopically or through an open approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background/Aim Lumbar hernia is caused by a defect in the abdominal wall. Due to its rarity, there is no established consensus on optimal treatment for lumbar hernia yet. Thus, we here investigated the clinical, surgical characteristics and outcomes of lumbar hernia by collecting 28 such patients from our hospital. Methods Patients diagnosed with lumbar hernia from our institution between April 2011 and August 2020 were retrospectively collected in this study. Demographics, clinical characteristics and surgical information were recorded. Results A consecutive series of 28 patients with lumbar hernia were retrospectively collected, including 13 males (46%) and 15 females (54%). The ages of the patients ranged from 5 to 79 years (median: 55 years), with a mean age of 55.6 ± 14.9 years. A total of 7 cases had a history of previous lumbar trauma or surgery. There were 11 (39%), 15 (54%) and 2 (7.1%) cases had right, left and bilateral lumbar hernia, respectively. Superior and inferior lumbar hernia were found in 25 (89%) and 3 (11%) patients. General anesthesia was adopted in 16 cases (group A), whereas 12 patients received local anesthesia (group B). Patients in the group B had a shorter hospital stay than that of the group A (3.5 ± 1.3 days vs. 7.1 ± 3.2 days, p = 0.001), as well as total hospitalization expenses between the two groups (2989 ± 1269 dollars vs. 1299 ± 229 dollars, p

Congenital lumbar hernias are uncommonly seen in the pediatric age group, with only about 60 cases reported in the literature. It is usually accompanied by a multitude of congenital anomalies involving different organ systems of the body. For instance, it may involve the ribs, spine, muscles, and the kidneys. Herein, we report a case of congenital lumbar hernia in an 8-month-old boy who underwent an operative repair using a mesh with an uneventful outcome.

Abstract The presence of a new lumbar swelling or pain in the postoperative period following laparoscopic surgery should raise the suspicion of a lumbar hernia. Cross‐sectional imaging can be used to establish an early diagnosis to enable successful management.

Background: Lateral hernia (LH) repair is a challenging and debated topic in abdominal wall surgery because of the anatomical location and mesh placement and fixation. Large LHs should be managed with an open procedure; however, there is no consensus regarding the repair of small- to medium-sized LHs. We report our treatment of this type of LH using the transabdominal partial extraperitoneal (TAPE) technique. Methods: After retrospective review of the prospective hernia database at two hernia centers, patients with small- to medium-sized LHs who underwent the TAPE technique were identified and analyzed. The key components of our technique include wide dissection of peritoneum off the defect and use of that peritoneum to cover the lower and medial part of the mesh as much as possible. The parameters studied included patient demographics, intraoperative data, and postoperative outcome. Results: We studied 19 patients with small- to medium-sized LHs repaired using the TAPE procedure between 2017 and 2020. LH etiologies were primary hernia (n = 3), incisional hernia (n = 15), and traumatic hernia (n = 1). Mean defect size was 5.8 ± 2.1 cm (range 2.5-10 cm), mean operative time 118.1 ± 41.7 minutes (range 65-240 minutes), and mean postoperative stay 6.4 ± 2.0 days (range 6-9 days). There were no perioperative complications. At a mean follow-up of 20 months, no patient had recurrence of LH. Discussion: For small- to medium-sized LHs, the laparoscopic TAPE technique is minimally invasive and safe; the procedure is associated with minimal postoperative complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lateral abdominal wall hernias are rare and inconsistently defined, which is why the use of the European Hernia Society classification makes sense, not least for the purpose of comparing the quality of surgical results. A distinction must be made between true fascial defects and denervation atrophy. Based on the available literature, there is generally a low level of evidence with no consensus on the best operative strategy. The proximity to bony structures and the complex anatomy of the three-layer abdominal wall make the technical treatment of lateral hernias difficult. The surgical variations include laparoendoscopic, robotic, minimally invasive, open or hybrid approaches with different mesh positions in relation to the layers of the abdominal wall. The extensive preperitoneal mesh reinforcement open, transabdominal peritoneal (TAPP) laparoscopic repair or total extraperitoneal (TEP) endoscopic repair has met with the greatest approval. The extent of the required medial mesh overlap is determined by the distance between the medial defect boundary and the lateral edge of the straight rectus abdominus muscles. The medially directed preperitoneal and retroperitoneal dissection can be extended into the homolateral retrorectus compartment by laterally incising the posterior rectus sheath or by crossing the midline behind the intact linea alba into the contralateral retrorectus compartment. The intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM) technique is a suitable procedure only for smaller defects with possible defect closure but it is also important as an exit strategy in the case of a defective peritoneum. Individualized prehabilitative and preconditioning measures are just as important as the assessment of preoperative anamnestic and clinical findings and risks with radiographic cross-sectional imaging diagnostics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A congenital lumbar hernia is a rare type of hernia that can affect children born with lumbo-costo-vertebral syndrome. This case report is the first to describe a hybrid laparoscopic-assisted approach, which enabled precise intra-operative localization of a pediatric congenital lumbar hernia, and definitive surgical repair was then undertaken through an open approach. Unlike prior studies that have focused solely on either open or laparoscopic techniques, this hybrid approach offers a new strategy to improve surgical accuracy, particularly where imaging and clinical examination are inconclusive. Our literature review found that open and laparoscopic repair of congenital lumbar hernias are both safe and feasible approaches, with the choice of either depending on the surgeon's preference and expertise., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Townsville Hospital and Health Service Audit, Quality and Innovation Review (AQUIRE) issued approval THHSAudit 202403-574. This project meets the classification of non-research and has been approved for publication and presentation outside of Queensland Health by the Townsville Hospital and Health Service Audit, Quality and Innovation Review Panel. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Pornkul et al.)

Traumatic abdominal wall hernia (TAWH) is a protrusion of contents through a defect in the abdominal wall as a consequence of a blunt injury. The objective of this review was to describe demographic and clinical aspects of this rare pathology, identifying the optimal moment for surgical intervention, evaluating the need to use mesh, and analyzing the effectiveness of surgical treatment. Thus, a systematic review using PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases was carried out between January 2004 and March 2024. Computed tomography is the gold-standard imaging test for diagnosis. Open surgery is generally the preferred approach, particularly in emergencies. Acute TAWH can be treated by primary suture or mesh repair, depending on local conditions, while late cases usually require mesh., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U.)

Introduction: Lumbar hernia is a very rare type of abdominal wall hernia with a small number of published cases. It can occur through two anatomical triangles: an upper one or Grynfelt-Lesshaft triangle and a lower one or Petit triangle. Case presentation: We present the case of a 64-year-old woman with a soft and reducible tumor in the left posterolateral region of the abdominal wall. Computerized tomography confirmed the existence of a lumbar hernia through the superior triangle or Grynfelt-Lesshaft triangle. Patient was operated through a transabdominal laparoscopic approach in which after reduction of hernial content (fatty tissue) a double-layer mesh was placed in an intraperitoneal position. She was discharged 24 hours after the intervention and no immediate complications were observed. Discussion: Lumbar hernia is a very rare type of abdominal wall hernia and its diagnosis requires high clinical suspicion and often radiological confirmation by computerized tomography. Conclusion: Lumbar hernia repair is indicated to avoid possible complications and can be performed with an open or laparoscopic approach. Repair should include a mesh to reduce the risk of recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lumbar hernias of the lateroposterior abdominal wall have a low prevalence, being described in the scientific literature as sporadic cases or short series. Initially, they manifest as a painless tumor that can be confused with other more frequent pathologies such as soft-tissue tumors, lipomas, hematomas, or abscesses. We present the case of a 72-year-old female patient who, after removal of a lumbar lipoma by dermatology, was referred to our clinic for recurrence of tumor. An ultrasound scan showed a recurrence of the lipoma. The anamnesis and physical examination suggested lumbar hernia. Computerized axial tomography scan confirmed the clinical diagnosis, and surgery was indicated.

Purpose: A primary lumbar hernia is a rare entity that requires surgical management, but the preferred technique has not been established. We herein describe a standardized and reproducible retroperitoneal totally endoscopic prosthetic (TEP) repair technique for primary lumbar hernias. Methods: Ten adult patients with primary lumbar hernias underwent retroperitoneal TEP repair from February 2019 to July 2020. A sufficient retroperitoneal space was established to accommodate a non-coated polypropylene mesh to reinforce the weakened flank area, and hernia content reduction and defect closure were then performed. The patients' clinical data were prospectively collected and analyzed. Results: Nine patients had a primary superior lumbar hernia and one patient had a primary diffuse lumbar hernia. All operations were successfully performed without serious intraoperative complications. The mean defect area was 6.4 ± 2.8 cm2 (range 4–12 cm2), and the mean mesh area was 144.6 cm2 (range 130–180 cm2). The average operative time (skin to skin) was 49.0 ± 5.7 min (range 40–60 min), and intraoperative bleeding was minimal. The mean visual analog pain scale score at rest on the first postoperative day was 2.2 (range 2–3). The average length of postoperative stay was 1.5 days (range 1–2 days). No serious postoperative complications occurred. No recurrence, chronic pain, or mesh infection occurred during a mean follow-up period of 7.5 months. Conclusions: The retroperitoneal TEP repair for primary lumbar hernias is safe, efficient, and reproducible. Anti-adhesive coated meshes and fixation tackers are not required, making this a cost-effective procedure that is worthy of recommendation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: Lumbar hernia is caused by a defect in the abdominal wall. Due to its rarity, there is no established consensus on optimal treatment for lumbar hernia yet. Thus, we here investigated the clinical, surgical characteristics and outcomes of lumbar hernia by collecting 28 such patients from our hospital.Methods: Patients diagnosed with lumbar hernia from our institution between April 2011 and August 2020 were retrospectively collected in this study. Demographics, clinical characteristics and surgical information were recorded.Results: A consecutive series of 28 patients with lumbar hernia were retrospectively collected, including 13 males (46%) and 15 females (54%). The ages of the patients ranged from 5 to 79 years (median: 55 years), with a mean age of 55.6 ± 14.9 years. A total of 7 cases had a history of previous lumbar trauma or surgery. There were 11 (39%), 15 (54%) and 2 (7.1%) cases had right, left and bilateral lumbar hernia, respectively. Superior and inferior lumbar hernia were found in 25 (89%) and 3 (11%) patients. General anesthesia was adopted in 16 cases (group A), whereas 12 patients received local anesthesia (group B). Patients in the group B had a shorter hospital stay than that of the group A (3.5 ± 1.3 days vs. 7.1 ± 3.2 days, p = 0.001), as well as total hospitalization expenses between the two groups (2989 ± 1269 dollars vs. 1299 ± 229 dollars, p < 0.001). With a median follow-up duration of 45.9 months (range: 1-113 months), only 1 (3%) lumbar hernias recurred for the entire cohort.Conclusions: Lumbar hernia is a relatively rare entity, and inferior lumbar hernia is rarer. It is feasible to repair lumbar hernia under local anesthesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Given the paucity of evidence surrounding lateral incisional hernias (LIH), optimal techniques remain elusive. We aim to compare perioperative and mid-term outcomes of patients who underwent robotic LIH repair using three techniques. Methods: Patients were grouped as intraperitoneal onlay (IPOM), transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP), or retromuscular (RM). Clavien–Dindo classification and Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI®; University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland) were used to report postoperative complications and morbidity scores. Surgical site events (SSEs), including surgical site occurrences (SSOs) and surgical site infections (SSIs), were also compared. Results: Of the 555 patients, 26 patients were included in the study; 5 (19.2%) underwent IPOM, 8 (30.8%) underwent TAPP, and 13 (50%) underwent RM repair. Although there were no differences regarding hernia defect size, a larger mesh size as well as a greater mesh overlap was achieved in the RM group compared to the IPOM and TAPP groups (p < 0.05). Additionally, RM repair allowed for a higher mesh-to-defect ratio than the recommended ratio of 16:1. There were no differences between groups in terms of postoperative outcomes, including SSEs, Clavien–Dindo grades, and CCI® scores. Conclusion: No differences in mid-term outcomes between robotic IPOM, TAPP, or RM repair were noted. However, the robotic RM repair allows for significantly larger mesh size and mesh overlap, as well as a higher mesh-to-defect ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The social impact and economic burden of low back pain are well known among the medical community. A novel therapeutic approach is represented by oxygen-ozone therapy, whose anti-inflammatory effects could be especially useful in patients with herniated discs. The most common administration is through a palpation-guided injection technique, although the use of ultrasound guidance could allow a more precise delivery of the therapeutic substance close to the nerve root.Aim Of the Study: To describe the clinical outcomes following US-guided periradicular injection of oxygen-ozone as a treatment option for low back pain associated to sciatica in patients affected by symptomatic L5-S1 disc herniation.Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided periradicular injection of oxygen-ozone in L5-S1 herniation is a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment, able to improve both low back and radiating pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The optimal surgical treatment for lateral hernias of the abdominal wall remains unclear. The presented prospective study assesses for the first time in detail the clinical value of a totally endoscopic sublay (TES) technique for the repair of these hernias. Methods: Twenty-four consecutive patients with a lateral abdominal wall hernia underwent TES repair. This technique is naturally combined with a transversus abdominis release maneuver to create a sufficient retromuscular/preperitoneal space that can accommodate, if necessary, a giant prosthetic mesh. Results: The operations were successful in all but one patient who required open conversion because of dense intestinal adhesion. The mean defect width was 6.7 ± 3.9 cm. The mean defect area was 78.0 ± 102.4 cm2 (range 4–500 cm2). The mean mesh size used was 330.2 ± 165.4 cm2 (range 108–900 cm2). The mean operative time was 170.2 ± 73.8 min (range, 60–360 min). The mean visual analog scale score for pain at rest on the first day was 2.5 (range 1–4). The average postoperative stay was 3.4 days (range 2–7 days). No serious complications (Dindo–Clavien Grade 2–4) were seen within a mean follow-up period of 13.3 months. Conclusions: A totally endoscopic technique (TES) for the treatment of lateral hernias is described. The technique revealed to be reliable, safe and cost-effective. The first results are promising, but larger studies with longer follow-up periods are recommended to determine the real clinical value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to propose our four-step technique, an open extraperitoneal approach for complex flank, lumbar, and iliac hernias.Methods: A big polypropylene mesh is placed, covering and reinforcing all the lateral abdominal wall in an extraperitoneal space. Its borders are retroxiphoid fatty triangle and the costal arch cranially and the retropubic space caudally, psoas muscle, and paravertebral region posteriorly and contralateral rectus muscle medially. Mesh dimensions do not depend from the defect size, but prosthesis has to cover all the lateral abdominal wall.Results: No major complications have been reported. The mean length of stay is 4.8 days (range 3-11). Mean follow-up is 44.8 months (range 5-92). One recurrence (4.5%) has been reported at the 1-year clinical evaluation.Conclusion: In conclusion, we believe that regardless size and location of the defect, every complex lateral hernia requires the same extensive repair because of the critical anatomy of the region with a big medium-heavyweight polypropylene mesh placed in an extraperitoneal plane, the only one that allows adequate covering of the visceral sac. Our technique is a safe, feasible, and reproducible treatment for this challenging surgical problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Flank and lumbar hernias (FLH) are challenging to repair. This study aimed to establish a reproducible management strategy and analyze elective flank and lumbar repair (FLHR) outcomes from a single institution., Methods: A prospective analysis using a hernia-specific database was performed examining patients undergoing open FLHR between 2004 and 2021. Variables included patient demographics and operative characteristics., Results: Of 142 patients, 106 presented with flank hernias, and 36 with lumbar hernias. Patients, primarily ASA Class 2 or 3, exhibited a mean age of 57.0 ​± ​13.4 years and BMI of 30.2 ​± ​5.7 ​kg/m 2 . Repairs predominantly utilized synthetic mesh in the preperitoneal space (95.1 ​%). After 29.9 ​± ​13.1 months follow-up, wound infections occurred in 8.3 ​%; hernia recurrence was 3.5 ​%. At 6 months postoperatively, 21.2 ​% of patients reported chronic pain with two-thirds of these individuals having preoperative pain., Conclusions: Open preperitoneal FLHR provides a durable repair with low complication and hernia recurrence rates over 2.5 years of follow-up., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: B. Todd Heniford reports a relationship with WL Gore that includes: funding grants and speaking and lecture fees. Vedra A. Augenstein reports a relationship with Allergan that includes: speaking and lecture fees. Vedra A. Augenstein reports a relationship with Pacira that includes: speaking and lecture fees. Vedra A. Augenstein reports a relationship with Bard that includes: speaking and lecture fees. Vedra A. Augenstein reports a relationship with Medtronic that includes: consulting or advisory. Vedra A. Augenstein reports a relationship with Vicarious Surgical that includes: consulting or advisory. Kent W. Kercher reports a relationship with WL Gore that includes: speaking and lecture fees. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Lumbo-costo-vertebral syndrome (LCVS) is a very rare congenital disorder seen in children. It is characterized by a congenital absence of ribs, vertebral anomalies, scoliosis, meningocele, and hypoplastic abdominal wall muscles presenting as abdominal wall hernia. We present a case of a six-year-old Indian female who came with complaints of swelling in the left lumbar region since birth, which was evident in coughing and scoliosis. On auscultation, bowel sounds were heard over the swelling. Physical examination revealed a left lumbar hernia and scoliosis. Abdominal X-rays revealed the absence of the 12th rib on the left side and vertebral anomalies with kyphoscoliosis. Abdominal ultrasonography (USG) showed a left lumbar hernia with bowel loops as its content. Computed tomography (CT) was done, which confirmed the X-ray and USG findings. Based on clinical and radiological findings, a diagnosis of LCVS associated with congenital lumbar hernia (CLH) was made. The patient was then referred to the surgery department for further management. This case illustrates a unique link between two extremely rare conditions and emphasizes the necessity of thorough clinical and radiological evaluation in suspected patients for early diagnosis and treatment., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Dhabalia et al.)

Lumbar hernias are rare lesions. They are exceptionally observed and reported. They are in most of the cases secondary to trauma or previous surgery but primary lumbar hernias are rare. Computed tomography (CT) is a very useful tool for the diagnosis of lumbar hernia. It can delineate the neck of the hernia and hernial contents. All lumbar hernias must be treated with surgery with two possible surgical approaches: the anterior approach and the laparoscopic approach. Many techniques have been described, including primary repair, local tissue flaps and conventional mesh repair. Bowel resection may be required in cases with strangulation. We report in this work an exceptional case of a 43 year old man with a past recent medical history of lumbar trauma who attended the emergency room for a lumbar mass. It was a soft, non-tender, reducible swelling, measuring from five centimeters in diameter, sitting in the right lumbar region. Computed tomography was performed. The hernia was located in the superior triangle of Grynfelt-Lesshaft and contained large intestine of the right bowel. That is called hernia of the Jean Louis Petit triangle. The patient had open surgery (by lumbar incision). We reintroduced the intestine back into the peritoneal cavity. We excised the sac, and repaired the defect by using synthetic mesh placed below the muscular layers, using a tension-free technique. He was discharged at the fifth day from our hospital. He has been followed up four years with no recurrence or postsurgical sequelae.

Abstract Introduction Hepatic abscess can be defined as an encapsulated collection of suppurative material within the liver parenchyma. Hepatic abscess can be distinguished as pyogenic, amebic, or fungal. Biliary tract disease remains the most common cause of hepatic abscess today, and the most common complications range from pleural effusion, empyema, and bronchohepatic fistula to subphrenic abscess and rupture into the peritoneal cavity, stomach, colon, vena cava, or kidney. A large abscess compressing the inferior vena cava and the hepatic veins may result in Budd-Chiari syndrome. In this report, we present a rare case of hepatic abscess with an unusual evolution that was treated with a noninvasive approach. Case presentation A 79-year-old Caucasian woman underwent endoscopic bile stone extraction and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Six months later, a hepatic abscess in association with bilateral effusion was diagnosed. The prompt imaging-guided drainage solved the case. Three years later, she came to our attention complaining of dull, diffuse abdominal pain and high body temperature (38 °C). A retroperitoneal abscess was diagnosed that was spreading to the right lateral wall of the abdomen and extending across the muscular wall to the subcutaneous layer. The fluid collection also involved the right pleural cavity, forming an empyema. Also in this case, an imaging-guided drainage was performed, and the patient’s clinical picture resolved in a few days. The retroperitoneal abscess recurred 14 months later, and it was dealt with using the same treatment. Three months from the last follow-up, the patient came back to our attention with an evident swelling of her right lumbar region. Computed tomography revealed a right inferior lumbar hernia comprising adipose tissue and the right kidney. A surgical intervention was recommended to the patient, but, owing to her poor general health, she refused any invasive approach. Conclusions Retroperitoneal abscess is an uncommon complication of biliary tract surgery and represents a potential cause of death, especially in those patients with multiple diseases. Prompt drainage is crucial to the treatment. Failure in eliminating the primary infective focus could bring complications and, in general, a weakness of lumbar muscular wall, even resulting in a rare case of lumbar hernia.

BACKGROUND: The lumbar area is limited by the bone structures (superiorly by the 12th rib and inferiorly by the iliac crest); furthermore, several important nerves, including the genitofemoral nerve, lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, and ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerves, are all exposed in this area after retroperitoneal dissection during lumbar hernia repair, which render the risk and challenge for lumbar hernia repair and mesh fixation. In addition, the superior and inferior lumbar hernias, although had the same name of lumbar hernia, are quite different according to the anatomical location, and there is no standard and preferred method for lumbar hernia repair. In the present study, we present our techniques of total extraperitoneal (TEP) superior and inferior lumbar hernia repair. METHODS: The TEP approaches were performed in the superior and inferior lumbar hernias. Due to the different anatomic locations of the superior and inferior lumbar hernias, the trocar sites were also different. In the present procedure, with the use of self-gripping mesh, the traumatic fixation was avoided. RESULTS: After TEP lumbar hernia repair, both patients had minimal postoperative pain and were discharged 1 day and 3 days after operation without complications, respectively. CONCLUSION: Different pathways and trocar arrangement are necessary according to the different locations of superior and inferior lumbar hernias. The use of self-gripping mesh in the retroperitoneal space avoids the traumatic fixation, and TEP could be a promising technique for primary lumbar hernia repair.