[The new congenital Spigelian hernia and cryptorchidism syndrome. Analysis of 16 cases].

INTRODUCTION Spigelian hernias in childhood are extremely uncommon. The aim of this study was to analyse the pathogenetic factors of paediatric Spigelian hernias. PATIENTS AND METHOD A retrospective review of worldwide literature for infants who had undergone surgical repair of a Spigelian hernia from 1950 to 2006. Descriptive statistical techniques were applied and percentages and means were calculated. RESULTS There were 33 patients in whom 40 Spigelian hernias were repaired, 26 males and 7 females, with a sex ratio of 3.7/1. The mean age was 2.7 years. 7 hernias are bilateral. RISK FACTORS anal stenosis (n = 1). Associated defects: cryptorchidism (n = 22), inguinal hernia (n = 5), umbilical hernia (n = 2). The most common hernia contents are testicle (40%), small intestine ( 27.5%) and omentum (15%). CONCLUSIONS The mean age of Spigelian hernia in children was 2.7 years, which would suggest a congenital cause. Spigelian hernias in infants are more common in males. There were 21.2% bilateral hernias. No risk factors were detected. Combined hernias accounted for 15.1% of the total. The most frequent hernia content is the testicle (40%). Interestingly, 48.4% of those infants with Spigelian hernias had ipsilateral cryptorchidism, which may suggest a new syndrome.