Segmental liver incarceration through a recurrent incisional lumbar hernia.

BACKGROUND Lumbar hernia is a rare congenital or acquired defect of the posterior abdominal wall. The acquired type is more common and occurs mainly as an incisional defect after flank surgery. Incarceration or strangulation of hernia contents is uncommon. METHOD Segmental liver incarceration through a recurrent incisional lumbar defect was diagnosed in a 58 years old woman by magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS The patient underwent an open repair of the complicated hernia. An expanded polytetraflouoroethylene (e-PTFE) mesh was fashioned as a sublay prosthesis. She had an uncomplicated postoperative course. Follow-up examinations revealed no evidence of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS Although lumbar hernia rarely results in incarceration or strangulation, early repair is necessary because of the risks of complications and the increasing difficulty in repairment as it enlarges. Surgical repair is often difficult and challenging.