Laparoscopic repair of Bochdalek hernia with intrathoracic kidney and concomitant redo-redo incisional hernia.

Abstract

Bochdalek hernias (BHs), though rare, are the most common congenital diaphragmatic hernias. Their coexistence with an ectopic intrathoracic kidney (IK), found in 0.25% of cases, is even rarer. Most IKs function normally; however, other than reported cases of BH-related obstruction, incarceration and strangulation, kidney-specific complications such as infection, obstruction and stone formation can occur. We present a patient presenting with a BH-IK in the setting of a symptomatic, multiply recurrent incisional hernia. Although there is no consensus on the best BH-IK repair technique, we propose that complete reduction and laparoscopic primary repair with mesh reinforcement using an intraperitoneal onlay mesh-plus technique are safe and feasible.