Management of lateral abdominal hernias

Purpose Lateral abdominal wall hernias are rare defects but, due to their location, repair is difficult, and recurrence is common. Few studies exist to support a standard protocol for repair of these lateral hernias. We hypothesized that anchoring our repair to fixed bony structures would reduce recurrence rates. Methods A retrospective review of all patients who underwent lateral hernia repair at our institution was performed. Results Eight cases (seven flank and one thoracoabdominal) were reviewed. The median defect size was 105 cm(2) (range 36-625 cm(2)). The median operative time was 185 min (range 133-282 min). There were no major complications. One patient who was repaired without mesh attachment to bony landmarks developed a recurrence at ten months and subsequently underwent reoperation. Patients with mesh secured to bony landmarks were recurrence free at a median follow-up of 171 days. Conclusions Lateral hernias present a greater challenge due to their anatomic location. An open technique with mesh fixation to bony structures is a promising solution to this complex problem.