Spigelian hernia and pitfalls of postoperative anticoagulation

Abstract

Spigelian hernias are a rare lateral ventral abdominal hernia that carry a high risk of strangulation due to their smaller sizes, and require surgical intervention. In more complex cases involving an anticoagulated patient, perioperative management of anticoagulation must be monitored and reviewed to avoid potential pitfalls. We present an 81-year-old woman who presented with right groin pain, and was requiring warfarin anticoagulation due to her cardiac history. The spigelian hernia was diagnosed and reduced laparoscopically, and the defect was repaired and reinforced by mesh. However, the patient suffered from catastrophic complications postoperatively related to her anticoagulation management. Spigelian hernias require surgical interventions. However, in an anticoagulated patient with significant comorbidities, perioperative anticoagulation needs to be closely monitored to balance the risk of thromboembolic disease with acceptable postoperative bleeding risks.