Congenital lumber hernia in a 2 year old child: a case report and review of literature

Abstract

Lumbar hernia is very uncommon. It constitutes less than 1% of all abdominal hernias. It can be congenital or acquired. Congenital lumber hernia is rarer still with less than 50 cases reported so far in literature. We present a case report of 2 year old male child who presented with a left sided large lumber hernia since birth, otherwise asymptomatic, due to rarity of the condition and difficulties in management. Anatomy of congenital lumbar hernia is discussed. All cases of congenital lumbar hernia should be investigated for other congenital anomalies. Lumber hernias can be managed by open as well as laparoscopic surgery. Open surgery is preferable as the anatomy is usually distorted and there may be other congenital anomalies which are associated with it.