Aim Describe a step by step laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair of a re-recurrent incisional lumbar hernia. Material & Methods This is the case of a 72-year-old man who had a previous traumatic right lumbar hernia initially approached by laparoscopic intra-peritoneal onlay mesh repair (IPOM) and its recurrence approached by open onlay mesh repair. CT-scan revealed a lumbar hernia on the right with a neck size of 40 mm. The hernia sac measured 65 mm and contained part of the right colon inside, without signs of incarceration nor dilated intestinal loops. According to the European Hernia Society classification for incisional abdominal wall hernias, the patient had a lateral hernia (L4 W2). Results Lateral incisional hernias are limited by the inguinal region inferiorly, the costal margin superiorly, the lateral margin of the rectal sheath medially and the lumbar region laterally. Due to their low incidence and the resulting lack of expertise in the treatment of this abdominal wall defect, surgical treatment poses a challenge- Conclusion The repair of a recurrent hernia is a daunting task, even more so of a re-recurrent one. By choosing to perform a TAPP repair, we were able to prove a laparoscopic re-do repair is feasible even faced with weakened tissues and distorted anatomy.

Aim “Incisional hernias are very common and can present even after minimally invasive surgery for other pathologies. Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair first described by LeBlanc in 1992, gained great popularity, because of its known advantages over the open techniques. In the last decade because of increasing concerns about the future risks of using an intra-peritoneal mesh, several minimally invasive techniques using a mesh outside abdominal cavity have been described. We report the use of a TAPP technique.” Material and Methods “48 yo female patient, that underwent a laparoscopic right adrenalectomy, for myelolipoma, in 2015, with subsequent incisional lumbar hernia (L4W1) in the extraction incision.” Results “The patient was submitted to a laparoscopic TAPP repair in ambulatory surgery with extended recovery. The hernia defect was closed with a barbed suture and it was used a 15x15cm medium weight polypropylene mesh without traumatic fixation. For pain control it was done a TAP block guided by laparoscopy. The duration of surgery was 90 minutes. The patient had no complications. No recurrence on follow-up (4 months).” Conclusions “New minimally invasive procedures for the repair of incisional hernias avoid the intraperitoneal mesh position and maintain all the advantages of the minimally invasive approach. Some of these techniques may be complex and have a long learning curve. TAPP seems reproducible and a good option if a good extra-peritoneal dissection is possible. Larger series are needed, to accurately compare these new techniques with IPOM, open sublay and to select the best technique for each patient.”