Case Report Clinics in Surgery Published: 19 Sep, 2016

Large Spigelian : Case Report and Review of Literature

Bashir MU1*, Sbeih MA1, Weerasinghe D1 and Chua A3 1Department of Surgery, Columbia University, USA

2Department of Surgery, Woodhull Medical Center, NYU Langone Medical Center, USA

Abstract A Spigelian hernia is a lateral ventral abdominal hernia that occurs with protrusion of a viscus or preperitoneal fat through a defect in the aponeurotic layer between the lateral edges of the rectus abdominis medially and the semilunar line laterally. Spigelian are relatively uncommon, and represent only 2% of all abdominal hernias. Due to their overall rarity and evasive presentation, Spigelian hernias and their associated complications are not well described in literature. We report here a rare presentation of a Spigelian hernia with large and small bowel strangulated portion in hernia sac, necessitating emergent laparotomy with bowel resection and repair of the hernia defect. Keywords: Spigelian hernia; Cecum; Laparotomy; Abdomen

Introduction A spigelian hernia is the result of an anterior abdominal wall defect. A spigelian hernia results from protrusion of a viscus or preperitoneal fat through a defect in the transversus abdominis muscle, it occurs laterally to the lateral border of the anterior rectus sheath along the semilunar line, where a transition from muscle to aponeurosis occurs. Spigelian hernia management is a challenge to general surgeons. Elective repair of uncomplicated Spigelian hernias can be performed both laparoscopically and by an open technique, with the former reported to be associated with a lower morbidity and shorter hospital stay [1,2]. However, an open approach is more feasible in emergent presentations associated with viscus incarceration, as this prevents undue delays and rapid reduction with possible revival of ischemic tissues, as well as reduction of the rate of iatrogenic bowel injury OPEN ACCESS during trocars insertion for the laparoscopic approach. This case report will present an open repair *Correspondence: performed in an emergent situation for incarcerated large spigelian hernia. Mohammad U. Bashir, Department Case Presentation of Surgery, Harlem Hospital Center, Columbia University, 506 Lenox ave, A 49 year-old Hispanic female presented to the emergency department with a 12 hours history New York, NY 10037, USA, Tel: 212- of progressively worsening right lower quadrant pain with multiple episodes of and vomiting 837-8419; Fax: 212-939-3536; and associated abdominal distention. The pain was reported to be severe and persistent with no E-mail: Muhammadumair.Bashir@ radiation. Further pertinent history included four pregnancies and a surgical history of a caesarean nychhc.org section about 20 years ago. Received Date: 07 Aug 2016 On examination, she had a weight of 73 kg with a BMI of 31 kg/m2. Physical examination Accepted Date: 02 Sep 2016 revealed a well-developed female in acute distress due to abdominal pain. Her blood pressure was Published Date: 19 Sep 2016 102/59 but other vital signs were within normal limits. Abdominal exam revealed a distended Citation: abdomen with severe tenderness in the right lower quadrant; a non-reducible firm and tender mass Bashir MU, Sbeih MA, Weerasinghe D, measuring 10 cm x 10 cm was also palpated in the right lower quadrant, and bowel sounds were Chua A. Large Spigelian Hernia: Case found to be hypoactive. A CT scan of the abdomen revealed a spigelian hernia in the right lower Report and Review of Literature. Clin quadrant containing a dilated cecum (up to 7.1 cm) with collapse of proximal bowel loops, suggesting Surg. 2016; 1: 1124. mechanical small (Figure 1,2). Based on the above history and corresponding radiographic findings, a diagnosis of incarcerated Spigelian hernia was established. Copyright © 2016 Bashir MU. This is an open access article distributed under After resuscitation, patient was taken to the operating room for exploratory laparotomy and the Creative Commons Attribution hernia repair. Intraoperatively, the hernia sac was first approached through a gridiron incision and License, which permits unrestricted dissection was continued until the hernia sac containing the strangulated cecum was visualized. The use, distribution, and reproduction in cecum and adjoining portion of the ascending colon as well as the terminal were found to any medium, provided the original work have wall necrosis. Thereafter, a right hemicolectomy was performed via a separate midline incision is properly cited. including the distal necrotic portion of the ileum in the resected specimen; a primary ileocolic

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Spigelian hernias present mostly with abdominal pain and a palpable mass in the area of the hernia [3,5]. Incarceration with spigelian hernias has been reported in 10-24% of patients with symptomatic spigelian hernia, with the hernia sac usually containing a portion of the omentum [3,6]; other viscera that have been reported to be involved include the colon, , ovaries, testes and the [6-8]. A pertinent clinical exam and an abdominal US may both assist in the work up of a Spigelian hernia, however a CT scan is the most definitive test in establishing a diagnosis of a spigelian hernia [6,7]. Further, a CT scan also assists in defining the of the hernia sac and any associated complications such as mechanical obstruction. The management of Spigelian hernias is almost always surgical,

Figure 1: CT Abdomen reveals the spigelian hernia with dilated cecum and with a low recurrence rate after surgical repair [3,5]. Elective entrapped mesentery and omentum- Coronal view. repair of uncomplicated Spigelian hernias can be performed both laparoscopically or by an open technique, with the former reported to be associated with a lower morbidity and shorter hospital stay [9]. However, an open approach is more feasible in emergent presentations associated with viscus incarceration, as this prevents undue delays and rapid reduction with possible revival of ischemic tissues, as well as reduction of the rate of iatrogenic bowel injury during trocars insertion for the laparoscopic approach. In our patient, an open approach to the hernia allowed optimal exposure in a timely fashion, although the involved portion of the bowel was beyond salvage. Nevertheless, reduction of the hernia contents expeditiously prevented further necrosis and a primary anastomosis with healthy viable margins was achieved. Conclusion Spigelian hernias are rare disorder that results from acquired Figure 2: CT Abdomen reveals the spigelian hernia with dilated cecum- Cross sectional view. or congenital factors results in defect in the transversus abdominis muscle in anterior abdominal wall and subsequent protrusion of anastomosis was performed. The Spigelian hernia defect was then visceral content through the hernia defect. Spigelian hernias carry repaired by primary suture closure using non absorbable sutures with a significant risk of incarceration and strangulation of sac content. imbrication of both the internal oblique and external oblique fibers. Clinical presentation is often vague, leading to delayed diagnosis. A thorough physical examination along with high clinical suspicion Postoperatively, the patient recovered well and her remaining remains crucial in the diagnosis of the Spigelian hernia; additionally, hospital stay was uneventful. She was discharged on the fifth CT scan is the most definitive radiologic test in establishing a postoperative day after tolerating diet and having regular bowel diagnosis of a spigelian hernia [6,7]. The management of spigelian movements, she continued to follow in surgery clinic with no hernias is almost always surgical, with a low recurrence rate after recurrence. Surgical pathology was consistent with transmural surgical repair [3,5]. Spigelian hernias can be repaired in a traditional necrosis with marked mucosal and submucosal hemorrhage involving open fashion or laparoscopically. Multiple intra-abdominal organs the cecum, ileocecal valve and proximal ascending colon. have reportedly been found in spigelian hernias, but the presence Discussion of a cecum is very rare. Early prompt surgical intervention prevents catastrophic complications of incarcerated spigelian hernias. A spigelian hernia is most likely an acquired abdominal wall defect, although a congenital predisposition secondary to weakening References of the spigelian fascia from perforating vessels may also contribute 1. Ramones MT, Beech D. Incarcerated Spigelian hernia: a rare cause of [3,4]. Acquired factors that predispose to a spigelian hernia include mechanical small-bowel obstruction. J Natl Med Assoc. 2010; 102: 731- obesity, multiple previous pregnancies, Chronic Obstructive 713. Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and previous surgeries [3]. These hernias 2. Olson RO, Davis WC. Spigelian hernia: rare or obscure? Am J Surg. 1968; occur equally in males and females, and present mostly in the fifth to 116: 842-846. sixth decade of life [4]. Most spigelian hernias (almost 90%) occur through the spigelian aponeurosis in a 6 cm wide area extending 3. Larson DW, Farley DR. Spigelian hernias: repair and outcome for 81 patients. World J Surg. 2002; 26: 1277-1281. from the umbilicus superiorly to the interspinal plane inferiorly (the line connecting the anterior superior iliac spines); the spigelian 4. Weiss Y, Lernau OZ, Nissan S. Spigelian hernia. Ann Surg. 1974; 180: 836- aponeurosis is located lateral to the rectus muscle and is made up of 839. the transversus abdominis aponeurosis and the posterior leaf of the 5. Vos DI, Scheltinga MR. Incidence and outcome of surgical repair of internal oblique aponeurosis [5]. spigelian hernia. Br J Surg. 2004; 91: 640-644.

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6. Spangen L. Spigelian hernia. World J Surg. 1989; 13: 573-580. 8. Spangen L. Spigelian hernia. Surg Clin North Am. 1984; 64: 351-366. 7. Nozoe T, Funahashi S, Kitamura M, Ishikawa H, Suehiro T, Iso Y, et al. 9. Moreno-Egea A, Carrasco L, Girela E, Martin JG, Aguayo JL, Canteras M. with incarceration of Spigelian hernia. Hepatogastroenterology. Open vs. laparoscopic repair of spigelian hernia: a prospective randomized 1999; 46: 1010-1012. trial. Arch Surg. 2002; 137: 1266-1268.

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