title: Minimally invasive spigelian hernia repair.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Spigelian hernia is an uncommon ventral hernia characterized by a defect in the linea semilunaris. Repair of spigelian hernia has traditionally been accomplished via an open transverse incision and primary repair. The purpose of this article is to present 2 case reports of incarcerated spigelian hernia that were successfully repaired laparoscopically using Gortex mesh and to present a review of the literature regarding laparoscopic repair of spigelian hernias.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective chart review and Medline literature search.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two patients underwent laparoscopic mesh repair of incarcerated spigelian hernias. Both were started on a regular diet on postoperative day 1 and discharged on postoperative days 2 and 3. One patient developed a seroma that resolved without intervention. There was complete resolution of preoperative symptoms at the 12-month follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Minimally invasive repair of spigelian hernias is an alternative to the traditional open surgical technique. Further studies are needed to directly compare the open and the laparoscopic repair.
authors: Tulane University School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA.
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Baucom
authors: Quan D
authors: QD
authors: Nguyen
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Hidalgo
authors: Douglas
authors: D
authors: Slakey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome