Sciatic hernia: a comprehensive review of the world literature (1900–2008)

• Published in: The American journal of surgery Vol. 199; no. 1; pp. 52 - 59
• Main Authors: Losanoff, Julian E., M.D., F.A.C.S, Basson, Marc D., M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.S, Gruber, Scott A., M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.S, Weaver, Donald W., M.D., F.A.C.S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 2010; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Abdomen; Biological and medical sciences; Diagnostic Imaging - methods; Diagnostic systems; Female; General aspects; Hernia; Hernia - diagnosis; Hernia ischiadica; Hernias; Herniorrhaphy; Humans; Intestine; Laparoscopy; Literature reviews; Male; Medical imaging; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Pain; Pelvic Bones; Pelvic Floor - physiopathology; Pelvic Pain - physiopathology; Prognosis; Prostheses; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Rare Diseases; Reinforcement; Risk Assessment; Sciatic foramen; Sciatic hernia; Sciatic Nerve; Sciatic notch hernia; Sepsis; Severity of Illness Index; Subject heading schemes; Surgery; Surgical Procedures, Operative - methods; Tomography; Treatment Outcome; Tumors; Ultrasonic imaging; Urology; World; Hernia; Sciatic foramen; Sciatic hernia; Sciatic notch hernia; Hernia ischiadica; Surgery; Notch receptor; Medicine; 2008; Treatment; Bibliographic review; Public health; International
• ISSN: 0002-9610; 1879-1883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2009.02.009

Abstract Background Sciatic hernias are considered the rarest pelvic floor hernias, with a very limited number of published reports worldwide. The condition has received limited attention in the surgical literature. Data sources The data reported herein are based on a literature review including MEDLINE and CURRENT CONTENTS computerized database searches. The existing bibliographies on sciatic hernia were explored for articles pertaining to the review. Finally, the Internet was searched for articles not listed in the available medical databases. Conclusions Sciatic hernia is unusual, and can present the physician with diagnostic and treatment dilemmas. The hernia may present with obscure pelvic pain, intestinal obstruction, life-threatening gluteal sepsis, or as an asymptomatic, reducible mass that distorts the gluteal fold. Small sciatic hernia can remain hidden behind the gluteus maximus muscle. The diagnosis requires imaging studies in such cases. Treatment of sciatic hernia is always surgical and requires prosthetic reinforcement for the best result.