A superior lumbar hernia presenting as constipation: Case report

Superior lumbar space with descending colon herniation resulting in constipation is very rare. We herein report a case of superior lumbar hernia presenting as constipation in a 76-year-old woman. She presented with a 6 × 6-cm, soft, non-tender, smooth-surfaced mass in the left flank. Constipation occurred more than 1 week before the operation. The barium enema study showed herniation of the descending colon. A 5 × 6-cm defect was found in the transversalis fascia during operation, which was repaired directly with interrupted 2-0 absorbable polydioxanone (PDS) reinforced with prosthetic non-absorbable mesh (Marlex). The postoperative course was uneventful after 12-month follow up. The treatment of superior lumbar hernia is not difficult after proper diagnosis.