Formosan J Surg 2000;33:287- 290

Case Reports 

 A Superior Lumbar Hernia Presenting as Constipation:
Case Report

Ching-Chuan Hsieh, Yi-Yin Jan

Superior lumbar space with descending colon herniation resulting in constipation is very rare. We herein report a case of superior lumbar hernia presenting as constipation in a 76-year-old woman. She presented with a 6X6-cm, soft, non- tender, smooth-surfaced mass in the left flank. Constipation occurred more than 1 week before the operation. The barium enema study showed herniation of the descending colon. A 5 x 6-cm defect was found in the transversalis fascia during operation, which was repaired directly with interrupted 2-0 absorbable polydioxanone (PDS) reinforced with prosthetic non-absorbable mesh (Marlex). The postoperative course was uneventful after 12-month follow up. The treatment of superior lumbar hernia is not difficult after proper diagnosis. 

Key word: superior lumbar hernia, constipation, descending colon