Single-port laparoscopic repair of an epigastric hernia using an epidural needle

Abstract

Introduction: Epigastric hernia is a rare form of ventral hernia, occurring along the linea alba anywhere from the xiphoid process to the umbilicus.

Presentation of case: We present the case of a 19-month-old boy with an epigastric hernia who underwent a single-port laparoscopic repair using an epidural needle. A nonabsorbable suture was threaded through an epidural needle, with one end of the suture threaded back through the needle tip to make a loop. The loop-shaped suture was left in the abdominal cavity through the rectus muscle at the site of the defect. Another suture was inserted into the looped suture through the opposite rectus muscle. The loop was pulled taut and the defect was closed by tying the suture extracorporeally with a subcutaneous knot.

Discussion: In epigastric hernia, the surgical technique involves overlapping muscle layers, and currently laparoscopic surgery is introduced to repair the hernia defect. Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive method of repairing epigastric hernias.

Conclusion: The epidural needle proved a simple and cosmetically acceptable device with which to close the epigastric hernia defect.