Preperitoneal mesh repair in Spigelian hernia

The first Spigelian hernia was described in 1764. From April 1995 to April 2004, 29 patients underwent 35 Spigelian hernia repair operations in our department. The choice of primary closure or additional mesh was based on the condition of the local tissue. If the tissue appeared of good quality, primary closure was performed; if the tissue was of weak quality, an additional nonresorbable mesh was implanted to induce a stronger scar tissue. Twenty-one Spigelian hernias were repaired using the primary closure method. There were three radiological recurrences, one of which was symptomatic after 10 months and required reoperation. In 14 cases, an additional preperitoneal mesh was implanted. There was no radiological or clinical recurrence in this group. Spigelian hernia repair may therefore have a lower recurrence rate if a preperitoneal mesh is initially implanted.