Congenital spigelian hernias and cryptorchidism.

PURPOSE: Spigelian hernias in childhood are rare. Only 24 infants in the English literature have been identified to have spigelian hernias, and 12 of these have been associated with cryptorchidism. Spigelian hernias are more commonly seen in the adult population and are considered to be acquired because they are typically associated with trauma or other etiologies of increased intraabdominal pressure. In the infant however, the etiology remains unclear, but a congenital defect in abdominal wall development is suspected.

METHODS

We discuss the presentation and treatment of 4 additional patients with spigelian hernias (2 siblings included) associated with cryptorchidism.

RESULTS

The hernias occurred within the well-described spigelian hernia belt in the semilunar line at the level of the semicircular fold of Douglas. Of the 6 repaired spigelian hernias, 5 were closed primarily with absorbable suture similar to previously reported cases; the sixth hernia required a patch closure because of its large size. All cryptorchid testes (7) were repaired in single-stage orchiopexies.

CONCLUSIONS

Spigelian hernias are rare entities in infants. We present 4 new cases of spigelian hernias associated with cryptorchidism and, with previously reported cases, discuss the probability of a congenital origin of these hernias in infants.