Retrospective analysis of 16 cases of lumbar hernia

BACKGROUND: Through a retrospective analysis of 16 cases of lumbar hernia, we discussed the anatomical basis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of this rare condition. METHODS: We collected medical data of 15 patients with a primary lumbar hernia and one patient with a secondary lumbar hernia treated in the General Surgery Department of Wuxi No.2 People's Hospital between January 2008 and June 2021 and analysed their demographic, preoperative, and postoperative data. RESULTS: All patients underwent elective surgery performed by the same treatment team for superior lumbar hernias. The median area of the hernia defect was 12 cm(2). Fifteen patients underwent sublay repair, and one underwent onlay repair. The median operative time and blood loss were 48 min and 22 mL, respectively. The hernia contents were extraperitoneal fat in 15 patients and partial small intestine in one. The median visual analogue scale score on postoperative day 1 was 3. A postoperative drainage tube was placed in three cases but not used in 13. The median duration of hospital stay was 5 days. Postoperative incision infection occurred in one case. During the follow-up period, no postoperative complications, including haematoma, seroma, incision infection or rupture, recurrence, and chronic pain, occurred in the other 15 cases. CONCLUSION: Lumbar hernias are rare and can be safely and effectively treated by open tension-free repair.