Surgical repair of a large ventral hernia under spinal anaesthesia: A case report

BACKROUND: Secondary ventral hernias are incisional hernias developed in former postoperative scars. Up to 30% of all patients undergoing laparotomy develop an incisional hernia. Open ventral hernia repair is often performed under general anaesthesia but can also be performed under regional anaesthesia. CASE REPORT: We report the case of an elderly man, who underwent open surgery of a large incisional hernia in spinal block. Regional anaesthesia was chosen due to the patient's additional diseases and disorders. CONCLUSION: Open surgery of large ventral hernia in spinal anaesthesia can be performed because the spinal anaesthesia provides adequate conditions for ventral hernia repair. The patient has to be in good physical condition in order for the surgery to be successful. During the surgery the patient has to be watched over vigilantly by the anaesthesiologist.